California Supreme Court Denies State Office Property Sale

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- The California Supreme Court has denied Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's request to let him complete the sale of state office properties before he leaves office next week.

Acting Justice Patricia Benke issued a one-line ruling on Tuesday denying the governor's petition to allow the transaction to go through before Jan. 3.

The ruling means the decision to sell the buildings will fall to Gov.-elect Jerry Brown.

Three former members of the state building authority had sued to stop the sale, saying it amounts to an unlawful gift of public funds.

An appeals court temporarily halted the sale.

Benke and six other judges were appointed to the case after the entire Supreme Court recused itself. The high court is housed in one of the state properties that would be sold.