RIVERSIDE -- Suggested cost-cutting measures in the courts and public defender's offices has intensified annoyance among some supervisors about District Attorney Rod Pacheco's political tactics as county officials continue working to cut $130 million for the current fiscal year.

Earlier this week, Pacheco offered a seven-point memo on how he thought the county might recover more fees from defendants who otherwise get free legal services.

His ideas were not well-received.

Pacheco didn't attend the supervisors meeting Tuesday; he was attending to department business in the desert, an assistant said. Had he been there, he would have heard supervisors, the public defender and the presiding judge of the county's courts sharply criticize his proposal, saying among other things that it was a "wild goose chase."

The public defender provides legal representation for defendants who cannot afford a lawyer. The annual budget for the public defender's office for this fiscal year is $33.4 million; last year, about $150,000 in legal fees were recouped.

In his report to supervisors, Pacheco suggested the courts and public defender's office be more thorough in recouping money from defendants who are represented by public defenders.

Public Defender Gary Windom told supervisors, however, that most defendants assigned a public defender possess few, if any, assets. Windom and Presiding Judge Thomas Cahraman told supervisors that the strategies and practices outlined in Pacheco's memo as ways of insuring maximum collection already are in place, were duplicative or not within the charge of the courts or public defender's office.

"We're collecting as much as we can," Windom said.

His office includes 132 lawyers.

Assistant Public Defender Robert Willey said Thursday that Pacheco's proposals were "disturbing and a distraction from critical issues" during the county's budget crisis.

"To throw in an issue that engendered time, energy and analysis over what at most would recoup $10,000 to $25,000 … is inexcusable," Willey said.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Sue Steding disagreed with Willey's assessment, however, and said the money is worth chasing.

"It may be pennies on the dollar, but everyone in our world today is counting them," she said.

She represented Pacheco at the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, which was packed with people interested in the supervisors' debate and decision on the 2009-10 budget.

Supervisors, edgy over their decision ahead on a budget that has shrunken to $629 million, were in no mood to discuss pennies.

"Smoke and mirrors," Supervisor John Tavaglione said.

"Another wild goose chase," Supervisor Bob Buster added. "How many will we get from the DA?"

Some weeks ago, Pacheco had asked the county to look into what he said were disparities in janitorial service costs. The county's facilities department responded that costs depended on what services offices chose.

Buster said the district attorney's proposal was diverting attention away from "real problems." Specifically, Buster said Pacheco had "stiff-armed" supervisors on the budget.

In his May 4 report to supervisors, county executive officer Bill Luna said Pacheco was three weeks late and $12 million over target with his proposed budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year, which began Wednesday.

Steding, the chief assistant district attorney, responded that the district attorney's office is "working hard with board members."

"Not this member," Buster replied.

Call staff writer Jeff Rowe at 951-676-4315, ext. 2621.

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