Calif. Sheriff Facing Indictment Retires

[devilgrrl]

Calif. Sheriff Facing Indictment Retires
By GILLIAN FLACCUS (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated Press
January 14, 2008 12:59 PM EST

SANTA ANA, Calif. - Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona, indicted last fall on federal corruption charges, retired Monday to focus on defending himself.

"With a heavy heart, I therefore announce my retirement as sheriff, effective today," Carona announced on the department's Web site. His attorney H. Dean Steward confirmed the statement.

Carona, 52, was charged with conspiracy, mail fraud and witness tampering in October in a corruption case that accused him of pocketing nearly $700,000 in bribes and kickbacks. Prosecutors alleged he tried enrich himself, his wife and his mistress by accepting cash and gifts in exchange for political favors

A call to a sheriff's department spokesman was not immediately returned.

Carona took 60 days of paid leave shortly after he was charged in October. At the time, he said that he had a constitutional duty to remain in office. He returned to the job a week ago.

On Monday, Steward stressed Carona was retiring, not resigning.

more: http://enews.earthlink.net/article/nat?guid=20080114/478aec50_3421_1334520080114-530143880

:nopity:

[Bluestar]

1. And I say good riddance to Mike Carona from the OC