OC Blog

Official Statement from the Feds on the Carona Indictment

Total Buzz just posted this official press release from the FBI in the regard to their recent indictment of Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona:

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF NAMED IN FEDERAL INDICTMENT THAT ALLEGES LONG-RUNNING CORRUPTION SCHEME INVOLVING FAVORS TO FRIENDS WHO PAID BRIBES

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Michael S. Carona, the elected sheriff-coroner of Orange County, has been named in a wide-ranging corruption indictment unsealed today that accuses him and several close associates of scheming to exploit Carona’s position for personal benefit, including accepting cash and appointing to the position of assistant sheriff an unqualified businessman who paid bribes.

The 10-count indictment charges Carona; his wife, Deborah Carona, who was appointed to the Orange County Fair Board of Directors while he was sheriff; and attorney Debra Victoria Hoffman, who as part of the scheme was appointed to the State Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention and the California Council on Criminal Justice, which Sheriff Carona chaired. All three, who, among other things, are accused of concealing the illegal benefits they received, are expected to surrender to federal authorities at the United States Courthouse in Santa Ana tomorrow morning.

The Carona Denouement

A seven-count federal indictment.

I don't think Sheriff Mike Carona is going to survive this one, and the fancy French word in the headline captures the essence of this latest development.

I haven't seen the particulars of the indictment, although I'm sure they'll be public soon by either leak or public release. But the feds don't indict politicians -- especially not "America's Sheriff" -- unless the case is very, very solid.

It's my understanding the indictment also includes his wife Debbie, but I can't confirm that first-hand.

The news will certainly make for an interesting Board of Supervisors meeting. The Sheriff's Department has some items on the Board of Supervisors, which will provide the Supes with an opportunity to ask questions. It will be interesting to see if Sheriff Carona comes to the Board meeting, and also what the Supes have to say during Board comments at the end. I don't see how they can avoid commenting on this.

I wouldn't be surprised if Sup. John Moorlach calls for Carona's resignation. He's asked Treasurer Chriss Street to resign in large part because the controversies and investigations swirling around Street -- and Street hasn't even been indicted.

Predictions are a dicey business, but my gut tells me Mike Carona isn't going to be Sheriff come the New Year. His political support barely held together to get him across the finish line in the June primary last year. I doubt it would have endured a November run-off, and I think it will fracture under the weight of this indictment because the political fatigue factor and the feeling of continually being confronted with new revelations have taken too big a toll.

I think the most likely near-term scenario is Mike Carona resigns, the Board appoints an caretaker sheriff and schedules a special election for the June ballot.

I wouldn't be surprised if Bill Hunt, Ralph Martin, Paul Walters and other would-be sheriffs are on the phone trying to determine Carona's chances of survival and gauging support for a sheriff's race.

It's never dull behind the Orange Curtain.

UPDATE (9:31 a.m.): I see Peggy Lowe has a post saying the indictment includes Debbie Carona and the woman rumored to have been the Sheriff's mistress, Debra Hoffman.

Red County/OC Blog News Roundup -- October 30, 2007

Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Orange County Sheriff Indicted On Corruption Charges -- LAT and OC Weekly
A jailed former assistant is cooperating with federal prosecutors on charges of using the office for financial gain.

Jaramillo Cooperates With Feds Over Investigation -- OCR
Ex-sheriff's assistant and one time friend of Mike Carona secretly pleaded guilty in March to two federal charges.

Haidl Sex Victim Reaches Tentative Settlement -- OCR
Details remain private in deal reached in civil case brought by 'Jane Doe' against ex-assistant sheriff's son.

Firefighters Set To 'Kill' Fire -- OCR
Firefighters grabbed a major break in the weather Monday, taking advantage of a deepening marine layer, cooler temperatures and increased humidity to rein in Southern California’s big wildfires.

Weather Is On Firefighters' Side For Now -- LAT
Cool, moist air is aiding the battle against the last of the Southern California wildfires, but Santa Ana winds are expected to return by this weekend.

Op-Ed: Canyon Homes Didn't Need To Burn -- OCR
O.C.'s calls for firefighting aircraft not heeded until fire was on the march

Frank Mickadeit: Bucher Takes On Schroeder Over Nguyens-- OCR
Two heavyweights duke it out.

Smaller Platinum Triangle Project Approved -- OCR
The Planning Commission approves a second Lennar development near Angel Stadium.

Anaheim Discusses Moving People -- OCR
Proposed transportation hub would link cars, buses and trains near stadium, Honda Center.

Trsutees To Propose 18 Plans For Huntington Beach Campuses -- OCR
Tonight's study session to focus on preferred nine proposals for four properties of the Huntington Beach City School District.

Nurses Union Upset At UCI -- OCR and LAT
Group says medical center has unfairly fired and suspended more than a dozen registered nurses.

Volunteers To Continue Fire Relief -- DP
As the fires in Southern California die down, sending exhausted crews of area firefighters back home, local volunteers continue assisting fire crews and are expected to do so through Friday.

Costa Mesa Expected To File Appeal Of Acosta Case -- DP
An ACLU attorney for immigration activist Benito Acosta said Monday he expects the city of Costa Mesa to file an appeal or ask for a review of charges of disrupting a city council meeting against his client that were tossed out of court earlier this month.

OC Flu Shot Clinics Underway -- OCR
The county's Health Care Agency will provide free shots to the general public on Friday and ongoing free-shot clinics for those in high-risk groups through December.

JWA Runways Shut Down After Accident -- OCR
Flights delayed and diverted after private jet’s wheel ignites during takeoff.

Sleazy Politics: Have you had enough?

Apparently the OC GOP Party establishment has had enough of the personal attacks and the take-no-prisoners approach used by some of the Party's most well known political operatives.

In what appears to be the latest example, there is a recent e-mail exchange between and OC GOP executive committee member, Mark Bucher and Trung attorney/advisor to the indited Sheriff Carona/former California Republican Party Chairman, Mike Schroeder.

The exchange started with a simple inquiry by Bucher about the potential impact of the scorched earth political tactics being employed against Supervisor Janet Nguyen. The inquiry led to a series of unfounded personal attacks against Bucher by Schroeder and appears to perfectly exemplify the very tactics Bucher had questioned. During the exchange Schroeder further enraged engaged the OC GOP establishment by copying a who's who list of Party big wigs.

Click here to read Frank Mickadeit's take on the brouhaha in today's OC Register.

Stay tuned for more fallout.

LA Times: Orange County Sheriff Indicted on Federal Corruption Charges

A reader just alerted me to this LA Times article which was just published a few minutes ago on the paper's website.  I'm not sure what to make of this newest development in the ongoing legal drama surrounding the Sheriff and his activities, but since the LA Times has a history of going after Mike Carona, we all should hold off judgment, at least until this indictment is made available to the public.

O.C. SHERIFF CARONA INDICTED

By Christine Hanley, H.G. Reza and Paul Pringle.  October 30, 2007

Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona has been indicted on federal corruption charges stemming from a lengthy investigation into allegations that he misused his office for financial gain, law enforcement officials said Monday.

The indictment, filed under seal, is expected to be made public soon, perhaps as early as Tuesday, officials said.

You can read the rest of this article by clicking on the hyperlink above.

Enjoying my Favorite Flapjacks with a Few Politicians

If there is one thing that can lure political operatives out of bed on an early Saturday morning, it's free food.  A bunch of us OC politicos went to Assemblyman Van Tran's "2nd Annual Central Orange County Pancake Breakfast" this past Saturday for a hearty meal and some face time with other state lawmakers like Chuck DeVore and Jose Solorio.  Kudos to Assemblyman DeVore for making it out to Garden Grove from his home in Irvine.  (Pictured on the left is Van Tran reporting on his legislative activities to the audience.)

Since there was no cost to attend, over 120 people showed up for this annual event held this year at the Garden Grove Boys & Girls Club.  They actually ran out of bacon. The photos were forwarded to me from the Tran's office, courtesy of Steve Sarkis.  (Pictured on the right is Tran, Ed Royce, Sr., two other Stanton Councilmembers, and Chuck DeVore).  Chuck is one tall guy.

Recall: It's Not Just for Capo Unified Anymore

Not wanting to miss out on all the recall fun over the last year or so, Huntington Beach City School District is looking to jump in.  What is prompting this is a looming decision to sell off four school sites to developers; they call it "asset management" on their website.  Call it what you want, it is not too popular with the locals.  Compounding the problem is that two of the sites have leases with private schools.  So, it is not as though these are truly unused, vacant properties.  The other sites, I believe, are used for community sporting events and by the boy scouts.  Nevertheless, the Board--before knowing what their plan is--has given the private schools lease termination notices.  This opens the door for them to sell the property for development.

Lou Correa Hosting Water Briefing On Wednesday

This came over the transom last Friday from Sen. Lou Correa's office, but I forgot to post it:

Senator Correa Convenes Water Briefing
Rebuilding California’s infrastructure has become the major legislative discussion and solving our State’s many infrastructures is critical to sustaining our economy. 

Senator Correa (D-Santa Ana) will convene a water briefing on Wednesday, October 31st from 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.  He has invited Jeff Kightlinger, General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and other elected officials and business leaders, to join us in this discussion.  The theme for the event will be:

Correa Scores 100% From California Taxpayers Association

H/T to Steve Greenhut at Orange Punch: The California Taxpayers Association has released its rankings for the 2007 session. Here's how the OC delegation scored:

Senate
Dick Ackerman (R)  92%
Lou Correa (D)        100%
Tom Harman (R)     94%
Mark Wyland

Assembly
Chuck DeVore (R)  100%
Mike Duvall (R)     100%
Mimi Walters (R)   100%
Jim Silva (R)         100%
Bob Huff (R)         100%
Todd Spitzer (R)   100%
Van Tran (R)        100%
Jose Solorio (D)      19%
Tony Mendoza (D)  36%

Duvall Announces Bipartisan Pro-Burmese Democracy Coalition

This came over the transom, too, but from Assemblyman Mike Duvall's office:

DUVALL RELEASES BIPARTISAN ASSEMBLY COALITION’S DECLARATION OF SUPPORT OF BURMESE PEACE AND DEMOCRACY

SACRAMENTO – Freshman Assemblyman Michael D. Duvall (R-Yorba Linda) today announced that a bipartisan coalition of Assemblymembers have signed onto a declaration he drafted in support of the people of Burma/Myanmar who have been demonstrating for peace and democracy for their country, which is currently under the control of a repressive military regime.