Orange County - Resentencing for another Sheriff Carona felon/pal - Navel Gazing

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Resentencing for another Sheriff Carona felon/pal

Posted by R. Scott Moxley in Carona Watch, Crime & Sex, Moxley, Politics

March 15, 2008 9:12 AM

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In May 2006, OC Weekly broke the news that then-Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona had allowed fellow con man Joseph M. Medawar to film the county's top secret anti-terrorism training procedures three years earlier. (See "Department of Homeland Stupidity.") A native of Lebanon, Medawar used the footage and personal endorsements from Carona and Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-Skipped Vietnam combat duty, pictured), to bilk more than $5.5 million from unsuspecting Republicans and religious conservatives. Medawar claimed the money would fund a new television series called DHS, but the FBI discovered the cash had been diverted to personal use including a $40,000-a-month Beverly Hills mansion. (Rohrabacher grabbed $23,000 of the loot under the pretense that Medawar, 46, paid him for a decades old, worthless script.) Since then, Carona's been indicted in a separate bribery scam, Rohrabacher continues babbling about whatever and Medawar's gone to prison. But last week, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the con man's punishment. Federal sentencing guidelines called for Medawar to get 57 to 71 months in prison. Los Angeles-based U.S. Judge Manuel L. Real, an LBJ appointee of dubious ethics and temperament, had ignored the cries of 50 victims and—without explanation—given Medawar a light 366-day sentence. The appellate justices told Real to try again.

-- R. Scott Moxley / OC Weekly

Comments (5)

Debby Bodkin says:
March 15, 2008 13:54

Does justice eventually prevail? Congrats to the feds for appealing this questionable 366 day sentence. Fifty victims speak out, lose their life savings, an elected public official (former Sheriff Carona) showboats the Department of Homeland Security for personal gain, the dubious ethics of the Judge that continued for many years, without accountability, may now be scutinized. It is not over until the federal sentencing guidelines are enforced in the Medawar conviction and many others. Thank you to the Ninth Circuit panel of Judges for doing the right thing!!!!! Maybe... just maybe... there is hope for judicial accountability. But, the real question is will U.S. Judge Manuel L. Real do what the law requires second time around?

Bob Squalonero says:
March 16, 2008 06:45

There's a saying that goes, "Patriotism is the refuge of scoundrels."

If that's the case, I guess that makes Carona, Medawar & Rohrabacher a bunch of.....um (let's see now), "patriots". ;-)