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According to this morning's Los Angeles Times, newly reelected Sheriff Mike Carona has "vowed to heal the department torn by scandal and politics." And, it seems, the healing has already begun, and begun in interesting way, if the goal is to avoid political strife in the department. As the Times reports:

One day after winning reelection in an incendiary campaign battle against one of his lieutenants, Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona placed that lieutenant on paid administrative leave.

Carona declined to comment on Lt. William Hunt's fate, saying it was a personnel matter. But he praised Hunt's pledge to put the heated campaign aside....

Hunt, who got about half as many votes as his boss, said he was due back Wednesday after taking a month off to campaign, and was caught off-guard by the action.

"The only reason I was given was that there were open investigations regarding election activities," Hunt said from his home in San Clemente.

Perhaps the Times story contains a typo, has a word out of place. Maybe it makes more sense if you move the word "torn" to another spot in the sentence. Carona vowed to heal the torn department by scandal and politics– that makes more sense. That would explain going after one of your election rivals as soon as the votes are counted– that would be the politics side of things. As for the scandal– is an appearance by The Little Sheriff too much to hope for?

Comments (8)

O.C. Deputy says:
June 8, 2006 08:06

Very typical of Carona.

I can't believe I'm going to have to work for this thug another four years. Of course there's always the good possibility Carona will being doing the perp walk before long.

Hector says:
June 8, 2006 09:06

Do we really NEED to elect the sheriff? Why isn't he appointed by the Board of Supervisors who can terminate him at the slightest hint of improprieties?

A Clockwork Orange » With Carona, what's the mystery? says:
June 8, 2006 10:06

[...] Roger that, brother in Blotter Paul Brennan, on your take on OC Sheriff Mike Carona's latest Machiavellian move. Carona and his Lieutenants of Lies were mum on their motives for immediately placing the closest challenger to his reelection—sheriff's Lt. William Hunt, who is also the city of San Clemente's police chief—on paid administrative leave. A surprised Hunt told the LA "By God" Times, "The only reason I was given was that there were open investigations regarding election activities." So the big mystery is, what were those "election activities." [...]

brian says:
June 8, 2006 11:06

It's a typo
He means to say no "erection" activities

WillowLu says:
June 8, 2006 13:06

Dear Lawman,
It's not slander if IT'S TRUE.
(Reference the First Amendment.)

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From OCReg:

Charges of campaign improprieties involving what Carona's lawyer said were Hunt's "public statements, actions and accusations."

Carona's attorney, Martin J. Mayer, said in a written statement that Hunt's comments as a candidate went beyond those covered by the First Amendment.

Hunt slammed the sheriff for the Jaramillo scandal and for two state investigations into Carona's suspected campaign-finance violations and claims of sexual harassment against him.

Carona and Hunt also had a brief court battle when the sheriff successfully sued Hunt for mentioning Carona's record as "one scandal after another" in his ballot statement.

Comandante Agi says:
June 8, 2006 14:06

Sex, intrigue, corruption, retribution...all the makings of a great new reality show. Anyone thought of producing The Real Sheriffs of Orange County?

G. Jones says:
June 8, 2006 20:06

"Do we really NEED to elect the sheriff? Why isn't he appointed by the Board of Supervisors who can terminate him at the slightest hint of improprieties?"

Doesn't matter. They're all owned by the same folks.