New O.C. sheriff likely to be named Tuesday
The selection could be made a week earlier than anticipated because background checks on the remaining two candidates probably will be completed by Monday.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors will very likely select the county's next sheriff at its Tuesday meeting, a week earlier than anticipated, officials said today.
John M.W. Moorlach, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said he learned today that background checks on the two finalists would likely be completed by Monday, giving supervisors enough time to make their decision at their Tuesday meeting.
The two finalists, selected this week, are Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters and retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Division Chief Sandra Hutchens.
The winning candidate will inherit a budget of more than $700 million, more than 4,000 employees and the task of leading a department decimated by allegations of corruption, cronyism, mismanagement and other embarrassments.
Third-term Sheriff Michael S. Carona resigned in January to concentrate on his upcoming federal trial on corruption charges. The Board of Supervisors is selecting his successor.
Walters or Hutchens will serve the remaining 2 1/2 years of Carona's term and have the option of running for a new four-year term in 2010.
"We were told this morning we should get the background checks Monday afternoon and we may be able to vote on Tuesday," Moorlach said. "I'd be more inclined to take care of it on Tuesday than to wait a week."
Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson has been serving as interim sheriff since January. Anderson asked for the board's endorsement, but was not chosen as one of the finalists.
Wayne Quint, president of the deputies' union, said the department needs a new sheriff as soon as possible.
"I think it's great news. We need a sheriff and since we know that acting Sheriff Jack Anderson is not one of the finalists, the organization needs a leader as soon as possible," said Quint, president of the Assn. of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs.
"We do look forward to working with whomever the board selects," he said. "Either selection will be great for the department."
stuart.pfeifer@latimes.com
