SACRAMENTO, July 15 (UPI) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has called off an $8 million magazine deal that created a conflict of interest over a nutritional supplement bill.
A consulting contract Schwarzenegger signed just before he took office in 2003 paid him 1 percent of the advertising revenue from Wieder Publications magazines, which primarily comes from makers of nutritional supplements. Schwarzenegger last year vetoed legislation that would have imposed government regulations on the supplement industry.
Records filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission show Schwarzenegger entered into the agreement in November 2003 with a subsidiary of American Media Inc., which publishes Muscle & Fitness and Flex magazines. The deal touched off a controversy after it was reported Thursday in the Los Angeles Times, with a spokesman for the governor denying there was a conflict of interest.
Schwarzenegger issued a statement Friday afternoon saying he would call of the deal.
"I don't want there to be any question or doubt that the people have my full devotion," said Schwarzenegger. "Therefore, effective today I will relinquish my title as executive editor and forego any compensation from the magazines."
Schwarzenegger said he would continue to promote weight training, health and fitness.
