Can former Phoenix Sun Kevin Johnson overcome his past to become Sacramento’s mayor?

Bruce Jacobs, then a voice for KGME radio, canceled an interview at the last second with New Times, telling a writer on the phone that Suns officials wouldn't take kindly to added exposure of the story and case.

That's hardly how it had gone down. Keeping the allegations secret was the best leverage that K.J.'s accuser had in demanding a secret settlement. Nobody associated with the teenage girl had leaked the story.

Interestingly, though, the phrase "sick slut" was precisely how one of K.J.'s lawyers had described the teen to New Times in a pre-publication discussion.

The writer responded with a snide comment about Jacobs' lack of testicles (KGME's motto in those days was "Sports With Balls!").

"I won't deny that they've shrunk a little bit this time," Jacobs responded.

A few days later, after the national media continued to cover the K.J. story, Jacobs blasted Valley media and a Republic sportswriter for coddling the Suns. Alas, such is life on the blabbermouth circuit.

Johnson's play during the Suns' 1997 first-round playoff loss to the Seattle SuperSonics had been spotty, and pundits speculated that the then-looming $750,000 demand letter might have been partly responsible.

Now, Johnson is said to be the frontrunner in a bitterly fought mayoral battle against incumbent Heather Fargo. But the outcome of the June 3 election remains in doubt (even though K.J. has more money than Fargo and, obviously, great name recognition), in part because of the continued allegations of improprieties against him.

In recent weeks, another teenage girl, this one from Sacramento, accused K.J. of inappropriately groping her. That allegation, too, went nowhere with school authorities and, later, with police. Also, revelations in the Sacramento Bee about the shoddy state of some of Johnson's extensive real estate holdings and other issues concerning the St. Hope Academy may be threatening his election.

But K.J. still has the backing, financial and otherwise, of many powerful SacTown politicos, which continues to bode well for him.

If he can just stay away from those pesky young girls . . .