But even as he gained attention in the political realm, Carona was coming under attack from critics who accused him of improper management and ethical lapses.
His conduct had hurt the department's integrity and morale, according to the critics, who pointed in particular to allegations that he had issued badges and concealed-weapons permits to campaign contributors without background checks or ensuring that they had proper training. Carona denied that the badges were political favors and said his conduct was proper.
Despite attacks on his character and repeated calls for his resignation, Carona was narrowly reelected to a third term as sheriff in 2006. By then, however, state and federal investigations into his conduct had begun.
In August, the state Fair Political Practices Commission agreed to a settlement in which Carona paid a fine of $15,000 for eight incidents in which he had billed his campaign committee for thousands of dollars in non-itemized expenses that he listed only as "loans."
Those charges arose after The Times reported last year that Carona had billed his elections committee for an estimated $130,000 in loans from 2001 to 2003 that were actually expenses.
The Times reported in January 2006 that federal officials subpoenaed records from Carona's reserve deputy program and election committee. This followed disclosures that the government had subpoenaed documents from his charitable foundation.
The full scope of the federal investigation remains unknown. But one apparent focus is a scheme outlined in Jaramillo's agreement to charges of tax evasion and mail fraud. Jaramillo's plea could lead to a sentence of as much as 23 years in prison and tens of thousands of dollars in fines. But Corrado said he hoped his client's cooperation would spare him a lengthy sentence.
The 30-page plea agreement describes Jaramillo's involvement with individuals identified as "M.C." and "D.H." Corrado said the initials stand for Carona and former Assistant Sheriff Donald Haidl.
The plea agreement says that beginning in late 1998 or early 1999, Haidl arranged for Jaramillo and Carona to be appointed to the boards of directors of several companies that paid them compensation or honorariums. In the plea, Jaramillo conceded receiving $7,000 from Charity Funding Services, a firm owned by Haidl's uncle. The plea agreement says Carona also received monthly payments from the charity company, as well as an unspecified amount of cash from Haidl.
