OC Blog

Carona Arraignment: The Firearm and a Crumbling Defense

Today I was on hand to see the Carona arrangment at the Ronald Reagan Federal Court House in Santa Ana. Although it was swift and occurred without incident a few events struck me.

Assistant US Attorney Brett Sagel confronted Carona lawyer H. Dean Steward over a bail stipulation involving Carona's possession of a firearm. Motioning to Judge Robert Black, Sagel argued the following:

There is a pattern of witness tampering and intimidation over the past three years, witnesses are scared of him.

To which Mr. Steward replied that Carona needs to keep the firearm in order to protect himself:

His life has been threated by many people, including individuals within his own department.

However great the threats on either side, the US Attorney's Office is pulling no punches. This seems to be a strong yet subtle tactic by Mr. Sagel whose failure to set higher bail was countered by the attempted defrocking of a top law enforcement official. Round 1 victory for the top cop, whose empty holster would equate to nothing other than symbolic political impotency.

Two other items struck me. One was the bail terms of the work-travel obligation for the Sheriff and his wife/co-defendant Deborah Carona, the other was Debra Hoffman's retainment of court appointed counsel.

Judge Block ruled that the Carona's were to stay away from all persons named in the indictment, as well as all potential witnesses and victims, yet they are permitted to attend political and work related events without engaging in direct communication with those prohibited. While Judge Block stated to the defense that these terms were clear, I find it ironic that Mrs. Carona is permitted to pursue her work and travels for the Orange County Fair Board, a board that the indictment states that the Sheriff used his political influence to facilitate the appointment of his wife (Page 19).

As an attorney, Debra Hoffman's retainment of court appointed counsel is even more surprising. Unless Carona or somebody else can cover her legal costs, I wouldn't be shocked if she further reduced her relatively slight legal battle by turning state's evidence against Carona for a probation term and a pricey fine.

Moorlach's Ballot Measure to Remove Elected Department Heads

H/T to Martin Wisckol of the OC Register for being the first person, that I'm aware of, to report on Supervisor John Moorlach's ballot proposal to remove county wide elected department heads who "misused or neglected" their public office.  Currently, the Board of Supervisors only have budget authority over these elected officials, but cannot remove them from office, should one of them come under criminal investigation or indictment, as in the case of Treasurer Chriss Street and Sheriff Mike Carona.  According to the ballot language, it would take at least 4 Supervisors to remove any of the countywide elected officials.  The Supervisors will consider this proposal in its upcoming meeting next Tuesday and could place the measure on the February Presidential Primary.

Carona Arraigned

I just got a call from OC Democratic activist Paul Lucas as he was leaving the Carona arraignment. Paul provided an interesting and descriptive account of the proceedings. Mike and Debbie Carona and Debra Hoffman were already seated in the courtroom when visitors were let in. Paul said the sheriff exuded "arroagance and hubris" while his wife look crushed. According to Paul, neither Carona spoke to or looked at each other during the entire proceeding. Debbie Carona could barely be heard whenever she was called upon to speak: each time, according to Paul, the judge had to ask her to repeat herself.

Donald Rumsfeld Headlining Nov. 17 Churchill Dinner In Newport Beach

The Claremont Institute's 20th Annual Churchill Dinner will be in Newport Beach this year, which is a relief for those of us who don't like driving to L.A. during rush hour. I first attended a Churchill Dinner in the early 1990s, when the recipient (if I recall correctly) was U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. I don't always make it, but they are always interesting and enjoyable evenings.

Headlining this year's dinner as the recipient of the Statesmanship Award is former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Vice President Dick Cheney will serve as honorary co-host v ia video, and former Secretary of Education Bill Bennett will give the introductory remarks. Love him or hate him, Secretary Rumsfeld can be a compelling speaker and this promises to be an intriguing event. Defribrillators will be on hand for any liberals who want to attend.

Here's the invite for more details.

Rick Reiff In DC: Cox Unlikely To Ever Re-Enter Politics

OC Business Journal Executive Editor Rick Reiff penned this column for the current edition of OCBJ, containing observations from his recent trip to the nation's capital:

Finding OC In D.C.

Washington, D.C., is a political amusement park—visual, bustling, entertaining. These days it’s transitioning, from Bushland to, it is widely presumed, Hillary Adventure.

A war rages and the economy teeters, but the government is on autopilot. What Congress debates—funding for “children,” a resolution condemning Armenian genocide, a censure of Rush Limbaugh—is prelude to next year’s main event, the presidential election.

Some other observations from my recent visit to the nation’s capital:

Can the Fed Fight Inflation with Words?

By now most market watchers know that the Federal Reserve chose the path of least resistance today: a 25 basis point interest rate cut. Hilariously, with gold at $800/ounce and oil nearing $100 per barrel, many pundits still claim with a straight face that there remains no sign of inflation!

The Burgeoning Vietnamese Community in New Orleans

A friend sent over this AP article about the Vietnamese community in Post-Katrina New Orleans:

AFTER KATRINA, VIETNAMESE BECOME A POLITICAL FORCE IN NEW ORLEANS

By Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press Writer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The view from Kinh Nguyen's front door these days is nothing like the "abandoned cemetery" she saw upon returning to her New Orleans neighborhood two months after Hurricane Katrina.

HBCSD Sale-Study Update

The Huntington Beach City School District had its study session last night.  It was looking at the various proposals for use of 4 school sites that are not currently open--as public schools.  Two of the sites are leased and used as schools by private, Christian schools.  Those are Huntington Christian School and Brethren Christian Junior/Senior High School.  The OCR provides an update here.  "Save Huntington Beach's Community" is here.

Carona In Cell; Hearing At 2:00 p.m.

A work meeting cancelled so I was able to hoof it over to the federal courthouse about 9:30 a.m. One of the small legion of cameramen languishing outside told me Sheriff Carona had outmaneuvered all of them and entered the courthouse sometime between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. when they were at Starbucks -- so nobody got a shot.

A few minutes later I ran into the intrepid R. Scott Moxley, who told me an OCSD chopper had been hovering over the courthouse watching for a moment when the media wasn't paying attention and gave the sheriff the greenlight to go in.

The sheriff, Mrs. Carona and Debbie Hoffman are each in separate holding cells as I type, and will be taken to courtroom 6B for a 2:00 p.m. hearing. I can't make it, but our own Jonathan Constantine will try to be there and report on the happenings.

Bucher vs Schroeder

Those of you who consider behind-the-scenes political maneuvering a sport will be fascinated by a recent email exchange between Mark Bucher and Mike Schroeder. Due to the length of the emails, which were sent out over a few days starting October 16, I will post part of the exchange today and the rest tomorrow. It should be noted that this exchange happened prior to the announcement of the Sheriff Carona indictment.

So join me at ring side...