Former O.C. sheriff was secretly taped using racist and coarse language

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Michael Carona with his wife, Deborah. Carona, 53, resigned as sheriff in January and is set to go to trial Aug. 26 on charges he misused his office to enrich himself and others, including his wife and former mistress.

Excerpts of the transcripts reveal Michael Carona repeatedly using a derogatory reference to blacks and calling 'phenomenal' sex one of the perks of being sheriff.

By Christine Hanley, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Former Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona used racist and coarse language during secretly recorded conversations disclosed in court records this week, and also boasted that the benefits of public office included rubbing elbows with billionaires, drinking fine wine and getting "phenomenal" sex.

Excerpts of the transcripts were made public in a motion filed by Carona's defense attorneys, who are trying to keep a jury from hearing certain "unfortunate" remarks. They argue the comments are "irrelevant," not criminal in nature, and likely to offend a jury. Allowing them at trial, they contend, would result in unfair prejudice to Carona.

Carona uses the "n" word several times and discusses various sexual escapades as he talks to former Assistant Sheriff Don Haidl, who was wired and cooperating with federal authorities in a corruption investigation of Carona.

"The use of vulgar and offensive language by Don Haidl and Mike in conversations instigated by the government is both unfortunate and regrettable," according to the motion. "Relying on their close friendship and knowing that he was taping their conversations, Mr. Haidl sought to engage Mike in private banter where the terms used by both men would be clearly offensive and embarrassing to them both if revealed to others."

Carona, 53, resigned in January and is set to go to trial Aug. 26 on charges he misused his office to enrich himself and others, including his wife and former mistress.

At one point during his conversation with Haidl, Carona acknowledges the good life he has been afforded as sheriff.

"You're right, I've had a life that's been absolutely blessed," he says. "I've met millionaires, billionaires, I've traveled on personal airplanes, and I never shook anybody down for any [expletive], so. . . . Not that I haven't, you know, drank some great wine, and had great booze and . . . got some, you know, phenomenal [sex] along the way."

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ca...0,2967441.story

[Nagishkaw 510]

Why doesn't this suprise me?

[Ggreen 12]

Why doesn't this suprise me?

Did you read it?

[Nagishkaw 510]

Duh! Of course I read it....what do you think?

[Ggreen 12]

Duh! Of course I read it....what do you think?

Did you understand it?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well for a corruption trial there's no smoking gun there that supports the claims being made against him.

It would seem to provide some insight into a rather unsavoury character...

[Nagishkaw 510]

Well for a corruption trial there's no smoking gun there that supports the claims being made against him.

It would seem to provide some insight into a rather unsavoury character...

That is what I was referring to. His character. Feel better now?

[Ggreen 12]

Why doesn't this suprise me?

I tried to help...n/m

[Nagishkaw 510]

Why doesn't this suprise me?

I tried to help...n/m

0k.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

I'm not surprised in the least.

[Peikko 1,575]

I'm surprised - well, no I am not because I have been following this case.

However I don't believe that all sheriffs are corrupt if that is where the lack of surprise is springing from.

[Nagishkaw 510]

I'm surprised - well, no I am not because I have been following this case.

However I don't believe that all sheriffs are corrupt if that is where the lack of surprise is springing from.

I agree with that.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

However I don't believe that all sheriffs are corrupt if that is where the lack of surprise is springing from.

I was walking down Melrose Ave. in Hollywood back when I was right out of High School, and I had a cop in an unmarked car yell to me, "You better not cross that street!" So, I crossed it, not knowing who this idiot was yelling at me. The cop ordered me back to the street corner where he was parked, and got in my face and said, "You're not having a bad day are you?" His partner told him, "Calm down". He then said, "You take the first hit!"

I just met my ex-wife and she had a party at her apartment where she lived during college, and her camera and house keys were stolen. I went along w/her to the police station, because I thought she was a nice person, and the police officer - a white female police officer asked her, "Is HE the suspect?"

I finished DJing a music event here in Southern CA and some thugs ran through the parking lot allegedly with a loaded handgun. Everyone leaving the event ~15 min. later was told to kneel on the asphalt with their hands behind their heads. As we were searched, the white male cop threatened each one of us with a bullet between the eyes if we had a weapon on us. I still can't talk about this with most people, because it makes me so upset.

When I was visiting Oxford St. in London when I was younger, there were allegedly, "Some Black toughs assaulting an old lady." So, my brother, my friend and I (all Black) were detained on the street, with the police clutching their bobbie sticks, ready to strike us. No, we didn't have weapons of any sort on us.

Do I trust the police? No.

Do I set myself up where I can come into contact (late at night, or otherwise) with the police? No.

Do I drive a vehicle which attracts the WRONG attention from law enforcement authorities? No.

Do I dress in a way which attracts the WRONG attention from law enforcement authorities? No.

Do I believe Sheriff Carona is a racist scumbag who deserves to have the book thrown at him? Of course.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

However I don't believe that all sheriffs are corrupt if that is where the lack of surprise is springing from.

I was walking down Melrose Ave. in Hollywood back when I was right out of High School, and I had a cop in an unmarked car yell to me, "You better not cross that street!" So, I crossed it, not knowing who this idiot was yelling at me. The cop ordered me back to the street corner where he was parked, and got in my face and said, "You're not having a bad day are you?" His partner told him, "Calm down". He then said, "You take the first hit!"

I just met my ex-wife and she had a party at her apartment where she lived during college, and her camera and house keys were stolen. I went along w/her to the police station, because I thought she was a nice person, and the police officer - a white female police officer asked her, "Is HE the suspect?"

I finished DJing a music event here in Southern CA and some thugs ran through the parking lot allegedly with a loaded handgun. Everyone leaving the event ~15 min. later was told to kneel on the asphalt with their hands behind their heads. As we were searched, the white male cop threatened each one of us with a bullet between the eyes if we had a weapon on us. I still can't talk about this with most people, because it makes me so upset.

When I was visiting Oxford St. in London when I was younger, there were allegedly, "Some Black toughs assaulting an old lady." So, my brother, my friend and I (all Black) were detained on the street, with the police clutching their bobbie sticks, ready to strike us. No, we didn't have weapons of any sort on us.

Do I trust the police? No.

Do I set myself up where I can come into contact (late at night, or otherwise) with the police? No.

Do I drive a vehicle which attracts the WRONG attention from law enforcement authorities? No.

Do I dress in a way which attracts the WRONG attention from law enforcement authorities? No.

Do I believe Sheriff Carona is a racist scumbag who deserves to have the book thrown at him? Of course.

Word.

[PlatyPius 5]

However I don't believe that all sheriffs are corrupt if that is where the lack of surprise is springing from.

I was walking down Melrose Ave. in Hollywood back when I was right out of High School, and I had a cop in an unmarked car yell to me, "You better not cross that street!" So, I crossed it, not knowing who this idiot was yelling at me. The cop ordered me back to the street corner where he was parked, and got in my face and said, "You're not having a bad day are you?" His partner told him, "Calm down". He then said, "You take the first hit!"

I just met my ex-wife and she had a party at her apartment where she lived during college, and her camera and house keys were stolen. I went along w/her to the police station, because I thought she was a nice person, and the police officer - a white female police officer asked her, "Is HE the suspect?"

I finished DJing a music event here in Southern CA and some thugs ran through the parking lot allegedly with a loaded handgun. Everyone leaving the event ~15 min. later was told to kneel on the asphalt with their hands behind their heads. As we were searched, the white male cop threatened each one of us with a bullet between the eyes if we had a weapon on us. I still can't talk about this with most people, because it makes me so upset.

When I was visiting Oxford St. in London when I was younger, there were allegedly, "Some Black toughs assaulting an old lady." So, my brother, my friend and I (all Black) were detained on the street, with the police clutching their bobbie sticks, ready to strike us. No, we didn't have weapons of any sort on us.

Do I trust the police? No.

Do I set myself up where I can come into contact (late at night, or otherwise) with the police? No.

Do I drive a vehicle which attracts the WRONG attention from law enforcement authorities? No.

Do I dress in a way which attracts the WRONG attention from law enforcement authorities? No.

Do I believe Sheriff Carona is a racist scumbag who deserves to have the book thrown at him? Of course.

The cops in Plainfield Indiana ( a redneck suburb of Indy) regularly pull people over for DWB - Driving While Black.

I've had a 9mm handgun pressed against my forehead hard enough to leave a ring for 4 hours, so I know how you feel there.

One of my friends and co-workers was detained in Calgary, Alberta because he was black and had the same name as a guy who was wanted for murder. SSN didn't match, and the other guy was older, but they still questioned him (and threatened him) for 5 hours. We ended up having to cancel work that day and drive back to the airport to pick him up (we were in Airdrie, AB) because they also wouldn't let him pick up the rental car that was in his name.