Brown spokesman quits over taped calls

SACRAMENTO, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- The spokesman for California's Attorney General Jerry Brown resigned Monday after admitting he taped conversations with reporters.

Brown is the sole contender so far for the Democratic Party nomination in next year's race for governor.

Spokesman Scott Gerber had been suspended by Brown earlier after telling the San Francisco Chronicle that one of its reporters had misquoted him, based on a recording of the conversation, the Sacramento Bee reported.

State law requires the consent of both parties before recording telephone conversations when there is an expectation of privacy, the Bee said.

In a "heavy heart" letter to Brown's deputy, Gerber said "neither the attorney general nor any other attorneys from our office were aware that I was recording interviews without permission."

After apologizing to Brown, Gerber said, "I also apologize to the reporters whose interviews I taped without permission. They deserved better from me."