In an attempt to punish three Democratic legislators after they attended a fundraiser against his wishes, the Democratic leader of the California Senate Don Perata locked them out of their offices.

The Oakland Democrat apparently was annoyed with the Southern California lawmakers, Sens. Ron Calderon, Gloria Negrete-McLeod and Lou Correa, who attended a dinner in Sacramento, held by pro-business Assembly Democrats.

The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that Perata was highly displeased over the action of his three members who found themselves locked out of their offices in the state Capitol Monday.

However, the three locked up members are blaming a "misunderstanding" for their lock up. "As far as I'm concerned what happened with me and Perata is a misunderstanding," UPI quotes Calderon as saying. "I'm back in my office; my staff is back in the office."