DeputyMayfield says But I'm not that John Mayfield

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press November 4, 2000.

By BOB WILSON
Valley Press Staff Writer

PALMDALE - John Mayfield, a 48-year-old sheriff's deputy, says he is being confused with John Mayfield, the 54-year-old planning commissioner who is running for a three-year term on the Palmdale City Council.

According to Deputy John R. Mayfield, the financial problems of candidate John A. Mayfield have complicated the deputy's attempt to obtain a loan to build a new house in Palmdale.

"There is a financial judgment against a `John Mayfield' doing business as John Mayfield Financial," Deputy Mayfield said, referring to candidate Mayfield.

That judgment, for $5,048, incorrectly showed up on his own credit report as the close of escrow approached, Deputy Mayfield said.

"That problem caused me distress," the deputy said. "I have outstanding credit, and I take a lot of pride in my credit. It was my name."

The incorrect mark against his credit has delayed receipt of his loan, which he was hoping to obtain by October, the deputy said.

He applied for the loan "four or five weeks ago," he said Thursday. "I originally told the lender I wanted to get it done by October. This has set me back."

"I'm hoping they are able to identify me and identify him, to get it off my credit," the deputy said.

Candidate Mayfield said he found it odd that of the tens of thousands of John Mayfields in the United States, he was the one with whom Deputy Mayfield was financially confused.

"If you do a cursory search on the Internet white pages, you'll find more than 14,000 of us," the candidate said. "There's another John Mayfield in Leona Valley who grows cherries. You should ask him if he's being confused with me as well.

"Normally, when you apply for credit, they ask you for your date of birth, your Social Security number, your mother's maiden name, your employer - things like that," candidate Mayfield said.

"I've never been confused ... before," the candidate said. "Maybe it's because we might live in the same town, where I'm running for public office."

Most financial institutions "are very sophisticated," he said. "I really think (the deputy) needs to sit down with his loan officer and try to determine what's really occurring here."

Candidate Mayfield said his judgment stems from a court ruling in favor of a former business partner who loaned the candidate money for a "dot.com" enterprise intended to advertise Antelope Valley businesses on a local Web site.

The arrangement was to repay the $5,000 loan in monthly installments of $500, the candidate said. But when the venture did not take off, his partner demanded total repayment in cash, a demand that was granted in court.

"I really empathize with the deputy, and I would like to apologize for any inconvenience on his part. But this probably stems from my council opponent's mud-slinging," the candidate said.

During the past two weeks, one of Mayfield's campaign rivals - businessman Rick Norris - has been running radio ads and mailing handbills pointing out candidate Mayfield's financial problems as well as a 5-year-old conviction for driving under the influence.

"Because of my opponent's lastminute desperation, he is harming the ability of a sworn officer of the law to build a home for himself and his family," candidate Mayfield said. "This shows that when mud is thrown, sometimes innocent people get hurt.

"If this is happening, I can only apologize for the mud Rick Norris has thrown," the candidate said. "If he goes back to the bank, it should be easy to have the information corrected.

"If my judgment is coming up on (the deputy's) credit report, he should be able to say, `This is not me' and trace that right down. I don't know why it would be so confusing," the candidate said.

A call to Leona Valley cherry grower and contractor John C. Mayfield was answered by his wife, who said, to her knowledge, her husband had received no calls from people misidentifying him as bookkeeper and candidate John A. Mayfield.

Mrs. Mayfield said she and her husband, John C., were the parents of Deputy John R.

After the situation between her son and John A. was explained, Mrs. Mayfield reaffirmed having no similar problems.

The financial mix-up is not the only complication caused by candidate Mayfield, according to Deputy Mayfield.

"There's another issue. I've had people call me asking me when I was arrested for drunk driving," the deputy said.

The calls were coming from friends who really believed he was the Mayfield who was convicted, he said.