Plumbers and pipefitters unions from as far away as Fresno and Los Angeles are pouring money in the re-election campaign of Mayor Heather Fargo.

The mayor's campaign has collected a total of $40,000 from plumbers and pipefitters locals around the state, according to campaign finance statements filed earlier this week.

Another $10,000 came from the California State Pipe Trades Council, the statewide organization of plumbers and pipefitters unions.

Donations from the plumbers and pipefitters total more than 10 percent of the $496,313 the mayor has collected thus far for re-election.

The $33,000 they gave in the latest reporting period, which ended Sept. 30, accounted for nearly 19 percent of the $177,283 donated to Fargo during that time.

The recent influx of cash follows a primary election season in which Sacramento's Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 447 emerged as one of Fargo's biggest contributors. In the weeks leading up to the June primary, the union also paid for an independent expenditure campaign smearing the character of challenger Kevin Johnson.

Local 447 is run by Harry Rotz, who shuns contact with the press and has never explained why his union felt so passionately about the mayor's race. Rotz did not return a phone call Tuesday seeking comment.

Scott Wetch, a lobbyist for the California State Pipe Trades Council, raised the issue of sexual allegations against Johnson when asked to explain the statewide group's support of Fargo.

Rotz sits on the board of the pipe trades council.

"I have serious reservations about the man's character because I don't think he's done even a reasonable job of explaining what the reasons are behind providing a quarter million settlement to a 16-year-old in Arizona," Wetch said Tuesday. "I think that's a minimum question that should be answered before we elect someone mayor of our great city."

No formal charges have been brought against Johnson. He made a confidential settlement for $230,000 with a 16-year-old Phoenix girl who claimed he molested her in 1995.

The girl's accusations were highlighted during the primary by mailers and a related Web site funded by the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 447.

Johnson campaign manager Steve Maviglio seized on Wetch's comments as proof that the Fargo campaign had illegally coordinated with the Plumbers & Pipefitters to smear Johnson before the June primary.

Fargo brought up the Phoenix settlement in a press conference after a televised debate with Johnson Monday night.

"Now the dots are truly connected," Maviglio said. "Mayor Fargo is clearly party to the most negative mudslinging campaign in Sacramento history. Look at last night. She repeated the same lines as the people financing her campaign."

State law forbids groups making independent expenditures from coordinating with candidates.

Dale Howard, Fargo's campaign manager, dismissed Maviglio's accusations. "I think his quote speaks for itself," he said of Wetch. "There hasn't been any coordination on this message."

Fargo also received substantial support from Sacramento's downtown development community and fellow Democrats such as Assemblyman Dave Jones, state Sen. Darrell Steinberg, U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui and fellow members of the Sacramento City Council.

Johnson continued to outraise Fargo, but not by as wide a margin as before. He reported contributions of $239,849 in the period ending Sept. 30. During the entire campaign thus far, he has collected more than $1.5 million, including a $500,000 loan he made to himself. His donors included prominent Democrats such as former state Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, as well as Republicans such as Ward Connerly and political consultant Richard Temple.

Contributing $2,300 to Johnson's campaign was Stephen Beneto, a member of the Cal Expo board of directors. Cal Expo is working with the NBA on plans to build an arena at the state fairgrounds, and Johnson has said he supports the effort.

Many of Johnson's contributions in the last reporting period came from out of state – from fundraisers in New York City and Washington.

"He's a nationally known businessman with connections around the country," Maviglio said. "I see that as a plus for Sacramento."

Eighteen employees and owners of Paramount Equity Mortgage in Roseville gave Johnson small contributions that added up to $2,200.

Citing false advertising and other violations, the state of Washington has moved to revoke the license of Paramount Equity Mortgage to do business there. The state is also seeking restitution and payment of a $500,000 fine.

Paramount issued a statement last month saying the charges were "completely unjustified" and the firm would appeal. Co-owner John J. Walker, who contributed $200 to Johnson, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

After checking, Maviglio said Paramount officials were friends with one of Johnson's finance committee members and held a fundraiser.

Call The Bee's Mary Lynne Vellinga, (916) 321-1094.