Reiner Resigns From Calif. Preschool Commission in Spending Flap
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Complaining of "personal political attacks," Hollywood director Rob Reiner resigned Wednesday from a statewide preschool commission he helped create.
His organization, the California First 5 Commission, has been under scrutiny for its spending practices.
Two weeks ago, Reiner dismissed suggestions that he step down as chairman of the commission, which has collected nearly $4 billion in tobacco taxes to fund early childhood programs. "Everything I've done is completely legal," he said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}But Reiner called Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger over the weekend and resigned, said Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Margita Thompson.
In a letter to the governor, Reiner said: "We agreed that we cannot let personal political attacks get in the way of doing the very best we can for California's children."
Critics accused the commission of a conflict of interest after it spent $23 million in state money on an ad campaign that coincided with Reiner's promotion of a preschool ballot initiative.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Legislature has asked the state auditor to investigate.
Reiner was unavailable for comment, said spokesman Mark Fabiani.
He will be replaced by Hector Ramirez, an executive at a nonprofit group for needy children, the governor said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Reiner is known for his role on the TV sitcom "All in the Family" and for directing such movies as "When Harry Met Sally" and "A Few Good Men."