Department of Corrections

Capitol Weekly incorrectly reported in a Nov. 3 story that Hollywood producer Stephen Bing helped finance a disputed slate mailer that urged voters to reject Proposition 77, the redistricting initiative backed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi called Capitol Weekly to personally confirm Bing’s position that he had not played a financial role.

None of his political contributions had been used to pay for the mailer. That being a fact, any implication in the Capitol Weekly story that he did play a financial role in that particular activity was incorrect.

Capitol Weekly apologizes for the error.

Pelosi told Capitol Weekly that she had asked Bing to buy only TV spots.

“It was at my request that Steve Bing made a contribution for the television buys. None of the funds he contributed were used for slate mailings or any other purpose,” Pelosi said.

The mailer was produced by the independent Citizens for Good Government, with funding from the No on 77 Committee.

Capitol Weekly reported that while Bing donated $4.25 million to the No on 77 Committee, his name did not appear anywhere on the mailer, nor did the name of any Democratic leaders.

The wording of Capitol Weekly’s story stated, inaccurately, that Bing had indeed contributed financial support to the mailer but sought to keep his role secret. Bing’s office referred inquiries to Pelosi, who called Capitol Weekly to confirm Bing’s account.