For eight years, Burbank City Councilwoman Stacey Jo Murphy has reigned as one of the town's most popular politicians. She's been a favorite of law enforcement and enjoyed a good relationship with the chamber of commerce.
A congressman once saluted her as his district's "Woman of the Year."
Now she's out on bail.
As news spread Friday of Murphy's arrest on cocaine and child-endangerment charges, people who have lived or worked alongside her struggled to reconcile the lawmaker they knew with the alleged law-breaker portrayed in police reports.
"This has absolutely blindsided everybody," said accountant Charles Alleman Jr., who was treasurer of Murphy's reelection campaign this year, in which she garnered 60% of the vote to win a second term.
"She connected with people in the community," he said.
Burbank detectives are investigating other connections allegedly involving Murphy.
Murphy, 47, was arrested Wednesday after police searched her home and said they found cocaine, three loaded handguns and 900 rounds of ammunition.
A man police described as her companion, Scott Schaffer, 51, was arrested on drug and weapons charges after a search of his Glendale apartment and vehicle turned up a small amount of methamphetamine, two vials of cocaine, nine handguns and a large amount of ammunition, police said.
Detectives said an 18-month investigation of a street gang led them to Schaffer and Murphy. The gang is allegedly involved in widespread narcotics and firearms trafficking, and one member is awaiting trial in the 2003 shooting death of Burbank Police Officer Matthew Pavelka.
Murphy and Schaffer have not been implicated in the officer's slaying, police said.
In the months after Pavelka's death, Murphy played a leading role in efforts to honor his memory and press the search for his killer.
"Obviously, it's very distressing to me," the officer's father, Michael Pavelka, said of Murphy's arrest. "I can't imagine that she would be involved in anything like that."
Murphy has been released on $100,000 bail. Schaffer remained in custody.
A woman who answered the door of Murphy's Lima Street home said the councilwoman had no comment Friday. "We're doing as best as can be expected," said the woman, who did not identify herself.
Murphy's attorney also declined to comment.
A police affidavit filed in the case said a confidential informant saw Schaffer sell several guns to gang members behind a bar on Riverside Drive in North Hollywood.
