Director Reiner Defends Pre-School Ads

Mar. 14 _ KGO (KGO) -- Rob Reiner, the actor-director turned preschool activist, defended himself Tuesday and a series of ads touting universal preschool -- ads that were paid for with taxpayer money.

Reiner insists the ads aren't connected to Proposition 82 on the June ballot.

Rob Reiner, movie director/activist: ""Let me finish. Let me finish. Let me finish."

Reporters made hamburger out of "Meathead" today, as he publicly answered questions for the first time about the possible misuse of taxpayer money.

Rob Reiner heads a state commission called First Five California that uses tax money to fund programs for young children.

Rob Reiner, movie director/activist: "There's no reason to resign. I mean, the only reason to resign is if you did something wrong. I didn't do anything wrong."

Sometimes, his answers weren't enough for the tough crowd.

Reporter: "Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Do you not want to answer all the questions?"

Moderator: "Sorry, sir. You are not in charge of this event."

At issue are the $23 million dollar television commercials promoting pre-school and paid for by cigarette taxes  6 percent of that money can be used for advertising.

Television Ad: "Pre-school. When kids go, we all benefit."

The problem is Reiner was qualifying his universal pre-school initiative for the June ballot while the ads were running.

Ned Wigglesworth, campaign finance analyst: "These are taxpayer dollars and they're being spent to push an initiative and that's illegal in general."

Last week a bi-partisan legislative committee voted to audit the funds while there were cries for the state Attorney General to initiate a criminal investigation.

Reiner has already temporarily stepped down from his First Five post until after the June election. But today, Senator Dave Cox called for Reiner to resign or be removed from office.

St. Sen. Dave Cox, (R) Fair Oaks: "If Mr. Reiner will not step down, than the Governor could replace Mr. Reiner."

ABC7's Nannette Miranda: "Have you asked the Governor already?"

St. Sen. Dave Cox, (R) Fair Oaks: "Yes, M'am."

Reiner insists the ads do not ask people to vote one way or the other on universal pre-school, known on June's ballot as Proposition 82.

Rob Reiner, movie director/activist: "We've been audited every year. We've been audited seven or eight times. Clean bill of health every time. Contracting: clean as a whistle. Everything we've done has been above board."

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