IRVINE, Calif. - Alfred H. Song, a veteran politician who became the first Asian American elected to the state Legislature, has died. He was 85.

Song died of natural causes Monday at an assisted living center in Irvine, his daughter, Leslie Song Winner, said Wednesday.

Song, who was an attorney before entering politics, earned the reputation as a top legal expert in the Legislature.

Former colleague David A. Roberti called him "a lawyer's lawyer."

But Song's 16-year career in Sacramento was tainted by allegations of political corruption. His career in the Legislature ended in 1978 amid reports that he was the subject of an FBI probe into political wrongdoing.

While in Sacramento, Song created the office of the state public defender, and he overhauled the state's guide to rules of court evidence. He also successfully pushed forward a bill to better protect credit card customers from hidden costs.

The former chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Democratic Caucus said he was most proud of getting passed a law designed to protect minority voters from harassment at the polls.

Song entered politics as a Monterey Park city councilman in 1960 and went on to represent a broader area of the San Gabriel Valley in the state Assembly in 1961. He was elected to the state Senate in 1966.

A World War II veteran, Song was born in Hawaii of Korean ancestry. He attended USC, where he earned bachelor's and law degrees.

In the mid-1970s, news stories reported that Song had used his influence to help the leader of an illegal ambulance-chasing ring in exchange for lavish gifts. Song did not deny receiving gifts, but he said the gifts had no influence on his votes.

In 1977, federal officials investigated Song's membership in a Sacramento country club, given by a prominent lobbyist. Song said he repaid the lobbyist before the investigation began.

The U.S. attorney's office eventually dropped the case, but 18 months after Song lost his seat to Joseph B. Montoya.

Montoya, who ran as a "good government" candidate, was later convicted of seven federal corruption counts and was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison.

Song was appointed to a number of state boards and served as a state deputy attorney general after leaving the Legislature.

He is also survived by daughters Marsha Song Boehling and Frances Song; son Mark E. Song; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was pending.