Orange County supervisors poised to appoint a new sheriff today

The two finalists, selected last week, are Sandra Hutchens, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department division chief, and Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters.

The chosen candidate will inherit a budget of more than $700 million, more than 4,000 employees and the task of leading a department tarnished 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.

Hutchens or Walters will serve the remaining 2 1/2 years of Carona's term and have the option to run for a new four-year term in 2010.

Walters, who ran a close race against Carona in 1998, has said he has the experience to execute a sweeping transition plan aimed at changing the culture of the department and restoring integrity to its leadership.

Hutchens, a Dana Point resident and the only woman to interview for the job, said she was equally qualified to take the reigns. She has downplayed the role her gender might play in any decision.

Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson has been serving as interim sheriff since January. Anderson asked for the board's endorsement but was not chosen as a finalist.

Stuart.pfeifer@latimes.com