Caruso taking Jerry Brown's side *

Developer and unrequited mayoral candidate Rick Caruso is hosting a fundraiser for governor candidate Jerry Brown on Feb. 2 at Caruso's home in Brentwood. His support could be a nice asset for Brown. "The economic downturn has had a devastating impact on our state, and as a businessman and a CEO I understand the value of experience in solving problems," Caruso says. "Our next Governor needs to be someone who understands government and how it works, and that is Jerry Brown."

Late afternoon update: "Some of my other Republican friends might question this once the word gets. But I think they'll understand that because Sacramento is so screwed up, you need someone who knows the system," Caruso tells Tina Daunt of the Huffington Post.

9:30 p.m. chaser: The L.A. Times rolls in with a blog entry on Caruso endorsing Brown.