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Maybe This Will Wipe Smug Look Off Carona's Face: 5.5 Years, $125,000 Fine, The Shame of an Entire County
Monday, Apr. 27 2009 @ 4:54PM
CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED . . .
Once dubbed "America's Sheriff," Mike Carona was sentenced this afternoon to 66 months--or 5 1/2 years--behind bars, two years probation after he serves the prison time and a $125,000 fine for attempting to
sabotage a grand jury investigation into abuse of power and bribery at
the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
U.S. District Court Judge Andrew J. Guilford said during his sentencing that he didn't understand the "unrestrained celebrations" after Carona's guilty verdict, in which Carona was cleared of several other corruption charges.
In January, a cheerfully weepy Carona stood outside the Ronald Reagan Federal Courthouse and declared that God, working through an Orange County jury, had provided him "a miracle" and "vindicated" him of any criminal conduct.
"A wrong message was sent regarding respect for the law and the jury system," said Guilford. "Carona has given no indication he wouldn't ask someone again to lie."
Carona's attorney, Jeffrey Rawitz, took the blame today for the celebrations, calling them a result of his own lack of experience as a criminal defense lawyer. "I'm responsible for that. We thought he was going to be convicted," Rawitz told the judge. "I should have been more diligent taking control of that situation."
Perhaps later laying the groundwork for an appeal, which Carona must file for within the next 10 days, Rawitz said, "I was not experienced enough as a criminal defense lawyer. I should have said, 'Keep your mouth shut.' But that relates to me, not Mr. Carona, because I didn't explain to him that he was exposed to these numbers."
The judge, saying he understood his numbers would be hard on Carona's family, remarked, "The Bureau of Prisons will protect Mr. Carona, just as Carona protected inmates under his care." The judge added he would inform the bureau to take into account Carona's former career as a law enforcement officer.
Carona was given until July 24 to turn himself in. That will allow him to be out on bond to attend his son's graduation.
Courtroom observers reported Carona looked "stoic" during sentencing while his wife and one-time co-defendant Debbie appeared "very sad."
According to the Orange County Register's occrimescene, which was Twittering the sentencing hearing, Guilford said Carona's crime hurt the community. "Lying will not be tolerated in this courtroom," the judge said, ". . . especially by the county's leading law enforcement officer. . . . The Mike Carona we see telling someone to lie speaks poorly of your characteristics."
Prosecutors Brett Sagel and Ken Julian had sought 108 months or nine years in prison for the man CNN's Larry King called "America's Sheriff" during the hunt for little Samanta Runnion's killer. That's 30 months more than what a federal probation officer recently recommended based on sentencing guidelines.
Defense attorneys had urged probation for their client.
The Weekly's R. Scott Moxley, who attended the hearing, reported that Guilford dealt the defense a huge blow when he indicated earlier in the day that witness Don Haidl, Carona's former assistant sheriff, was credible. The defense had vehemently contended the multi-millionaire businessman who voluntarily ran Carona's reserve unit was a liar.
Secret recordings Haidl made for the FBI reveal the then-sheriff plotting to get Haidl to lie about bribery and gifts.
The courtroom was so packed this morning when Carona entered the media had to be sat in the jury box. He was cheerfully hugging and shaking the hands of people when he arrived, but Carona turned "very solemn" as the day's events unfolded.
 |
| "Inexperienced" criminal defense attorney Rawitz (left) and Carona in January. |
U.S. District Court Judge Andrew J. Guilford said during his sentencing that he didn't understand the "unrestrained celebrations" after Carona's guilty verdict, in which Carona was cleared of several other corruption charges.
In January, a cheerfully weepy Carona stood outside the Ronald Reagan Federal Courthouse and declared that God, working through an Orange County jury, had provided him "a miracle" and "vindicated" him of any criminal conduct.
"A wrong message was sent regarding respect for the law and the jury system," said Guilford. "Carona has given no indication he wouldn't ask someone again to lie."
Carona's attorney, Jeffrey Rawitz, took the blame today for the celebrations, calling them a result of his own lack of experience as a criminal defense lawyer. "I'm responsible for that. We thought he was going to be convicted," Rawitz told the judge. "I should have been more diligent taking control of that situation."
Perhaps later laying the groundwork for an appeal, which Carona must file for within the next 10 days, Rawitz said, "I was not experienced enough as a criminal defense lawyer. I should have said, 'Keep your mouth shut.' But that relates to me, not Mr. Carona, because I didn't explain to him that he was exposed to these numbers."
The judge, saying he understood his numbers would be hard on Carona's family, remarked, "The Bureau of Prisons will protect Mr. Carona, just as Carona protected inmates under his care." The judge added he would inform the bureau to take into account Carona's former career as a law enforcement officer.
Carona was given until July 24 to turn himself in. That will allow him to be out on bond to attend his son's graduation.
Courtroom observers reported Carona looked "stoic" during sentencing while his wife and one-time co-defendant Debbie appeared "very sad."
According to the Orange County Register's occrimescene, which was Twittering the sentencing hearing, Guilford said Carona's crime hurt the community. "Lying will not be tolerated in this courtroom," the judge said, ". . . especially by the county's leading law enforcement officer. . . . The Mike Carona we see telling someone to lie speaks poorly of your characteristics."
Prosecutors Brett Sagel and Ken Julian had sought 108 months or nine years in prison for the man CNN's Larry King called "America's Sheriff" during the hunt for little Samanta Runnion's killer. That's 30 months more than what a federal probation officer recently recommended based on sentencing guidelines.
Defense attorneys had urged probation for their client.
The Weekly's R. Scott Moxley, who attended the hearing, reported that Guilford dealt the defense a huge blow when he indicated earlier in the day that witness Don Haidl, Carona's former assistant sheriff, was credible. The defense had vehemently contended the multi-millionaire businessman who voluntarily ran Carona's reserve unit was a liar.
Secret recordings Haidl made for the FBI reveal the then-sheriff plotting to get Haidl to lie about bribery and gifts.
The courtroom was so packed this morning when Carona entered the media had to be sat in the jury box. He was cheerfully hugging and shaking the hands of people when he arrived, but Carona turned "very solemn" as the day's events unfolded.
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Dan Chmielewski says:
At a minimum, its about 4 years and 8 months...he has to serve 85 percent of his sentence.
Now where will he go?
Why is it someone who robs $2K from a bank with a shotgun gets hard time, but a crook like this who used his badge to game the system for hundreds of thousands of dollars might get minimum security jail?
Why not hard time for a hard crime?
Mox's next assignment; a field trip to possible prison facilities. Ands can someone send this convicted felon a copy of the HBO series Oz so he can learn about hard time?
Posted on Monday, Apr. 27 2009 @ 5:08PM
Alex Brant-Zawadzki says:
Did they mention Moxley by name in the opinion?
Something reeks like Pulitzer in here...
Posted on Monday, Apr. 27 2009 @ 5:22PM
Deke says:
Since little Mikey is such a horn dog, I wonder if he will go "gay for the stay" in the joint?
Posted on Monday, Apr. 27 2009 @ 5:28PM
Duplojohn says:
What a bittersweet end end.
Matt for you it's likely climatic of sorts, given the weekly's honest, straightforward and tenacious reporting over the years on this guy.
But in the end, noone likes to here about another guy getting buttfucked in jail.
WOW, after reading that last sentance, I don't mind so much!
Posted on Monday, Apr. 27 2009 @ 6:39PM
Know Em All says:
Mikey,
Enjoy attending your son, Matthew's graduation as he will be a college graduate when your released, and hopefully a better man than you. On behalf of the late Brad and Rosie Warner you are a real piece of shit! Rot you maggot...
Posted on Monday, Apr. 27 2009 @ 7:48PM
Debby Bodkin says:
Scott Moxley, Gustavo Arellano and the OC Weekly deserve a Pulitzer for returning the public's right to full disclosure and protection from illegal activity by politically-connected law enforcement and religious leaders. For me and many other unsuspecting citizens, without the integrity and tenacity of the OC Weekly's journalists, this County would have remained a safe haven for sexual predators and corrupt politicians.
Judge Guilford has taken a big step in restoring the public's trust in the system. He took the time to explain the law, addressed his concerns from the bench to all parties and counsel, and controlled his courtroom with integrity, while demanding respect for the judicial process. The world would be a safer place if more judicial officers conducted business as led by Judge Guilford.
Sadly, the true loser in this whole mess his Matthew Carona... I cannot help but hurt for him knowing that he was an innocent person during the past few years. His father will now be in federal prison during a crucial time in Matthew's life. Shame on you Mr. Carona.... your son deserved more!
Posted on Monday, Apr. 27 2009 @ 7:58PM
Amerikan says:
YES!!!
It's the right first step in reminding Law Enforcement officials that they are NOT above the law!
They are supposed to enforce the law, not make it up as they go along or ignore it when they feel like it!
They should be held to a much higher standard than ordinary citizens when they break the law. They should be given much harsher sentences.
If they don't like the risks they take on the streets, then don't become cops in the first place!
Posted on Monday, Apr. 27 2009 @ 8:54PM
El Gringo says:
A niggling question:
Since most, if not all, high schools in Orange County hold their graduations by mid-June, why is the sentence delayed until late July?
Posted on Monday, Apr. 27 2009 @ 10:01PM
mike says:
Any time a dirty cop or judge gets nabbed, it catches my eye, hear in Illinois, or cook county or Chicago, you name it, they all are dirty. I hate to say it, but x-gov Blago's head hunters, have same amount of dirt, if not more hanging around their head. http://judgescotillo.blogspot.com/ U.S. District Court Judge Andrew J. Guilford would not be welcome in federal court here. In Illinois a judge is most likely, (you may find a honest judge out there) just another sleaze ball lawyer.
Posted on Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 4:19AM
Mr. A-Hole says:
Good luck in Prison Mr. Corona, your past actions and corrupted career will put you in a sling you won't ever forget.
Welcome to the dark side and the end of your manhood you little corrupt piece of garbage, I hope the Costa Mesa Police Department also get's there shit together because they've not only been corrupt but have taken brutality to a whole new level.
That includes you Officer J. Torres...you know what you've done.
Posted on Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 8:09AM
Andy the Lawyer says:
Given the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the sentence was fair. We also have the certainty that when Carona gets out he'll be lucky to get a job as a Wallmart security guard.
But one can't help wishing that the Sentencing Guidelines had permitted putting Carona's head on a stick outside the Sheriff's office as additional discouragement to future uniformed malfeasance. I don't know whether Judge Guilford would have imposed it, but he should have had the option.
Posted on Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 8:28AM
Ricardo says:
Best comment at sentencing:
“I believe the Bureau of Prisons will protect Mr. Carona,” Guilford said during the sentencing hearing, “just as Carona protected inmates under his care.”
Posted on Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 9:29AM
Jessadrummer says:
While following oc crimescene's twitters from the courtroom yesterday, I was not suprised to hear that Corona didn't have one single letter of support from a "Current OC Sheriff" He had letters of support from crime victims' families and former Sheriff officials, but none from the people he led. Speaks volumes to me. Here's the transcript....classic.
Sun is moving on to Carona's background.
Sun: It is undeniable that the achievements, service that Mr. Carona gave to this county.
Sun notes "the overwhelming evidence that talk about the impact this man has had on (letter writers') lives or other people's lives."
Sun notes that Carona reached out to communities of color, advocated for gay/lesbian rights in his department.
Sun mentions Erin Runnion -- mom of deceased five-year-old Samantha Runnion -- wrote a letter of support.
"Is there any letter from an existing member of the Sheriff's Department?" judge asks.
Brian Sun is stepping around the question, referring to letters of three former sheriff's officials.
Sun: "Mr. Carona is a flawed man ..."
Posted on Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 9:35AM
Cesar says:
Mikey, Mikey, Mikey... Too bad for us that you will likely be placed in protective custody while prison and, thus, avoid having to play soap-on-a-roap. But then there is always the possibility that some other encarcerated cop criminal will convince you to become his cell bitch. But there is NO doupt in my mind that, upon release, you will obtain gainful employment as a GOP lobbyst or in some other GOP-related job ala Scott Baugh. Imagine what awaits you upon release: Insisting and declaring that you were innocent to begin with, a high paying gig with the hypocritical GOP, a movie and book deal, riches, riches, riches, perhaps even a reality show entitled "The Real Orange County Sheriff".. Man, what a country!
But let me just say FUCK YOU to you, your wife, your mistress', your dirty little peon cops, your dirty acquaintances, and, what the hell, even your son (sorry young vato but I am sure you also profited and probably boasted about your pinchi papito being Da Man). Take some ethics classes while enrolled in correspondence, on-line, junior college and share the reading list with your pendejeo dad.
Mr. Moxley and Gustavo, let's party like a Kennedy. I'm buying!
Posted on Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 10:40AM
Tom Vasich says:
If he serves the time, Carona will probably go to the federal prison in Lompoc. Not exactly a country club, but he might delight in the cool ocean breezes. My question: will he be out on bond until his appeal is heart in 12-18 months?
Posted on Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 4:30PM
R. Scott Moxley says:
Tom: The judge hasn't ruled yet on that question and we may not know the answer until late July.
Posted on Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 5:05PM
Jasper says:
Carona's got a face like a bicycle seat, which is fitting, since some gigantic black men are going to be sitting on it in about two months.
Posted on Wednesday, Apr. 29 2009 @ 11:18AM
Joe says:
Wait, is Mike Carona bald or does he shave his head?
What gang do you think that D-bag will join in prison? He better have some protection because he's gonna get his ASS kicked! Heck, if I was in the same jail as that D-bag, I'd get the black gang to kick his ass.
Posted on Thursday, Apr. 30 2009 @ 4:14PM