Former Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona gave reserve deputy badges to 86 people on a roster known as the "friends list" in exchange for donations of $1,000 to his first campaign, a key witness in the corruption case against him told federal investigators.
The witness, former Assistant Sheriff Don Haidl, alleged that he reimbursed a portion of these contributors with cash, either directly or through businessmen who worked for him, according to court records.
Haidl told federal agents that Carona's goal was to sign up 1,000 reserves and collect a $1,000 donation for each badge in an effort to raise $1 million for his campaign war chest.
Once one of the former sheriff's closest associates, Haidl also alleged that as an assistant sheriff he was promised a "get-out-of-jail-free card" and the power to arrest or "cut loose" any individuals he pleased.
The former assistant sheriff's allegations are contained in an exhibit that was filed Monday in Orange County Superior Court by Carona's defense team. Carona is charged with misusing his office in a broad conspiracy to enrich himself and others, including his wife and former mistress. All three have pleaded not guilty.
Carona's defense team did not explain why the report was included in the exhibit, which was filed with a motion seeking to prevent another witness from testifying at Carona's trial. But Jeffrey Rawitz, one of Carona's attorneys, denied that his client doled out any favors.
"To the extent that any contributors wanted to serve as reserves, that shouldn't come as a shock. They were already his supporters, and it was a natural extension for them to want to work for the department on a voluntary basis," Rawitz said.
The lawyer cited the arrest and conviction of Haidl's son in a high-profile sexual assault case as evidence that Haidl received no special treatment.
"How did that work out with his son? When the rubber met the road, did he get a get-out-of-jail-free card?" Rawitz said.
While being interviewed by federal investigators last September, a month before Carona was indicted, Haidl leveled a variety of assertions:
Carona and another former assistant sheriff, George Jaramillo, thought money was going to be "falling from the trees" once they assumed office.
Carona wanted Haidl to handle all the business deals that were to benefit Haidl, Carona and Jaramillo, as well as deal with the "rich" people who came in contact with the Sheriff's Department.
