SACRAMENTO — Marin Services for Women, a small treatment center in a San Francisco suburb, offers alcoholic and drug-addicted women a portal to better lives. Since Susan Kennedy, the domestic partner of a Marin Services executive, became chief of staff to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, it also has become a gateway to powerful people and places in state government.
This summer, Schwarzenegger hired a member of the nonprofit's board as state labor commissioner, then gave her domestic partner a $123,897-a-year- state job. Schwarzenegger also appointed a Marin Services executive to direct the state's drug and alcohol programs.
And the governor has kept Vicki Marti, Kennedy's partner, on a state medical commission that pays $54,250 a year even though her term has expired. The board is a favored spot for patronage appointments; it includes three termed-out legislators and an ex-wife of a former state Senate president.
Now, Marin Services is using the lure of time with Kennedy to raise money. The center is honoring her at its annual fundraising dinner Sept. 14 and soliciting donations of as much as $25,000 for the chance to attend a private reception with her beforehand.
Capitol lobbyists whose clients have much at stake before the administration have been invited to donate, according to an e-mail obtained by The Times. Already, AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, Reliant Energy and Santa Anita Park -- the Arcadia racetrack that wants state permission to expand its gambling operations -- have agreed to help sponsor the event, according to Marin Services' website.
"It sounds pretty clear that lobbyists are using this event as an opportunity to either buy access to Susan Kennedy or simply pay her a favor," said Derek Cressman, a consultant for government watchdog groups. "We all know that in Sacramento, lobbyists do those things for a reason, and that reason is to eventually gain some benefit for their clients."
Kennedy, who has worked for Schwarzenegger for two years and is paid $175,000, declined to comment. Aaron McLear, a spokesman for the governor, said the nonprofit was "a worthwhile cause" that was appropriate for Kennedy to support "on her own time."
"How they want to put on this event is something the administration and Susan have nothing to do with," McLear said. "This is their event. They invited Susan to be honored."
