RANCHO BERNARDO – City Attorney Michael Aguirre enjoyed a Perry Mason moment in a debate yesterday against his challenger in the Nov. 4 election, Superior Court Judge Jan Goldsmith.

Aguirre asked Goldsmith to cite the last time he argued a case in court as an attorney, describe the case and name the presiding judge.

Goldsmith, taken aback, said he has heard thousands of cases since Gov. Pete Wilson appointed him to the bench 10 years ago. Then he said he had “no recollection” of the last time he tried a case.

Legal competency was one of several issues Aguirre and Goldsmith sparred about at the debate, sponsored by the Progressive Grandmothers for Political Action at Rancho Bernardo's Remington Club.

Goldsmith touted his 32 years as a lawyer and accused Aguirre of “wanting to be mayor” and mismanaging his office.

“I'll make decisions based on the law,” Goldsmith said.

Aguirre noted that he was named one of the state's 100 best trial lawyers and that, while in private practice, he won a $60 million judgment against PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The centerpiece of Aguirre's first term has been his attempt to strike down $800 million in city pension benefits that he calls illegal. The case is on appeal.

Toward the end of the debate, Rancho Bernardo resident Ann Dumanis, mother of county District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, asked Aguirre why he has called her daughter corrupt.

Aguirre told Ann Dumanis he had his reasons, but preferred not to reveal them in public out of respect for her.

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Ronald W. Powell: (619) 293-1258; ron.powell@uniontrib.com