Legal Commentary

Orange County, CA Sheriff Sentenced to 66 Months

By Jeralyn

Former Orange County Sheriff Joe Carona got whacked with 66 months for witness tampering today in federal court. While he was acquitted of many counts at the four month trial that resulted from lengthy corruption investigation, including counts he misused his office, the judge had no patience for the tampering.

“Lying will not be tolerated in this courtroom, especially by law enforcement, especially by the leading law enforcement official in the county," said [Judge Andrew]Guilford, who held up a copy of the book “The Importance of Being Honest” and read a passage to Carona.

[More...]

The allegations were ugly:

Witness testimony exposed raw details of his relationship with a longtime mistress, complete with tales of a love nest, Vegas getaways and secret bank accounts. Witnesses talked of bribes handed over in cash-stuffed envelopes, hidden cameras in the Sheriff’s Department and reserve badges for donors and the politically connected.

...Jurors said that although they believed Carona had accepted cash and gifts, the statute of limitations prevented them from considering many of the alleged acts underlying the case.

The evidence in the tampering count on which Corona was convicted was his own words on tape.

At other points in the tape, Carona vows that he will deny receiving money from Haidl, and that they can track each other's testimony before the grand jury through their attorneys.

“Your story is my story,” Carona tells Haidl.

The Judge did show Carona a little mercy: He let him stay out on bail pending appeal until July 24 so he can attend his son's graduation.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on April 27, 2009 (boomark / email).