Results tagged “mikecarona”

After leading the nation's 5th largest Sheriff's Department (second largest in California), Former Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona today was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for his involvement in large law enforcement corruption scandal. He was convicted of the charge in January, but was acquitted of various other charges such as conspiracy. His lawyers said he will likely appeal any ruling that is not probation and will request he remain free during the appeal process. Carona was once a rising star in GOP politics and was expected to do well in Sacramento.

Three witnesses took the stand yesterday in the case where U.S. District Attorneys are trying former elected Orange County Sheriff Michael Corona for illegally winning his 1998 election, taking bribes and returning favors. Both a pilot and a tailor who were asked to give $1000 to his campaign and then reimbursed by friend and eventual assistant sheriff Don Haidl to avoid campaign contribution limits stood on the witness stand describing what they did and knew. In the afternoon, the accountant for Debra Hoffman, Carona's mistress, talked about their "love nest" and a secret account where they would hide their money. Carona's wife, Deborah, is also allegedly involved, but she will stand trial in a separate case later.

Once deemed as "America's Sheriff" by CNN's Larry King, former Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona is now the focus of a media watched trial that began yesterday with all the stuff that make politics what it unfortunately is known for: money, bribes, power.

Despite having returned back to his post just two weeks ago, today Orange County's beleagured Sheriff Michael Carona, announced his retirement from the job on the Department's blog. Carona is entwined in a mess of legal troubles that extend to include his wife and his mistress, Deborah Carona and Debra Hoffman, respectively, in its web.