Orange County Sheriff's Deparment: Head Sheriff Indicted

Posted on: January 20, 2008 at 3:49 p.m.

California criminal attorneys know from their own defense experience that the beauty of American democracy is that no one is above the law. This law blog's author and his law firm have represented attorneys, doctors, police officers, and even political figures. It then does not come as a surprise.

Carona's federal indictment has made some county officials uncomfortable with him remaining in office. California law allows Carona to remain in office unless he is convicted, although only two elected sheriffs in recent California history have done so -- and both ultimately resigned. Carona, his wife, Deborah, and his alleged mistress, Debra V. Hoffman -- all named in a sweeping public corruption indictment -- were free on bail Wednesday after waiting several hours in a courthouse holding cell for their hearing. Magistrate Robert Block told them not to leave the country and to give the court 48 hours notice before traveling out of the state. The indictment charges that Carona engaged in a broad conspiracy to enrich himself, his wife and Hoffman by trading access to his department for cash and gifts.

The indictment says the scheme took root in March 1998, before he was elected, and stretched until this August, when Carona allegedly tried to persuade one of his chief accusers -- former Assistant Sheriff Donald Haidl -- to lie to the grand jury. Haidl and former Assistant Sheriff George Jaramillo, also charged as part of the conspiracy, have brokered plea agreements with prosecutors. Throughout the hearing at the federal courthouse in Santa Ana, Carona held his chin high. His wife had a vacant stare. Both kept their cuffed hands in their laps as the charges against them were read. Attorneys turned the pages of documents for the sheriff and placed reading glasses on Deborah Carona's nose. Hoffman sat quietly behind them.

This criminal case is ongoing. The Criminal Law Blog will continue to monitor the legal and defense developments in the case.

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Comments:

Kelsey Kernstine on May 17, 2008 at 9:46 p.m. wrote:

It is frustrating to see the corruption of power especially in the situation of police officers. They are the people that you think are going to be the fair and just; however, they, too, are just like anyone else. Capable of committing unlawful acts as well. You hear so many stories and situations of police officers being corrupt, just like in Carona

Tyler Marik on April 2, 2008 at 8:11 p.m. wrote:

This situation reminds me of the case of the case of former Glendale fire captain John Leonard Orr. In 1984 Orr set what was speculated to be his first fire in South Pasadena, in a retail store, killing four. He was an arson investigator not to mention his role as fire captain. Orr was convicted of starting several fires in and around Los Angeles (numerous fires in Bakersfield) and ordered to serve three consecutive ten-year terms. However soon after he was convicted for four counts of first degree murder in regards to the '84 fire and is now serving life in prison. John Orr has become somewhat of a pop culture icon appearing in books and movies. He also wrote his own 'fictional' novel about a firefighter who is also an arsonist, many speculate this is his confession and autobiography. This type of sociopath is somewhat akin to what Carona did. The idea that criminals often 'return to the scene of the crime,' is not cliche' on false pretenses. Bank tellers aiding in bank robbery, arson investigators as arsonists, and head sheriffs committing conspiracy, it should not surprise us, but it does. Although innocent until proven guilty, this certainly does not bode well with the public. He should resign regardless and save the department further tarnish.

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Orange County Sheriff's Deparment: Head Sheriff Indicted

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