Brett Wagner: official investigation opened

I've been covering the Brett Wagner story here and here.  The latest on the AP (via sanluisobispo.com) is that the California Democratic Party will open an official investigation.

The California Democratic Party will investigate allegations that Ventura County party officials improperly asked congressional candidate Brett Wagner to quit so someone else could run against Republican Rep. Elton Gallegly.

Wagner, who suggested last month that party leaders want him out because he is a homosexual, urged an investigation in hopes the group of officials get booted from their positions within the party.

During an Oct. 5 news conference, Assembly District 37 Committee Chairman Tom Parker and Ojai Valley Democratic Club President Sue Broidy, among others, outlined concerns about Wagner's campaign finances, his employment background and alleged use of a nonprofit to advance his campaign.

They also worry that the issue will hurt anyone who wins the Democratic primary next June, upsetting their hope to unseat Gallegly, whose 24th Congressional District stretches from Simi Valley to Vandenberg Air Force Base.