Carona "Retirement" A Financial Decision
Posted by: Jubal | 01/14/2008 11:12 AM
I managed to attend this morning's press conference was given by Mike Carona's consigliere Mike Schroeder, who explained the reasons behind Carona's decision to resign effective today (although I was late thanks to the OC Sheriff's Deaprtment's crack media operation).
I'll post video later of that portion of the presser I was able to video.
It's clear to me financial considerations are at the heart of Carona's decision to resign...er, retire.
The "concern for the department" reason is fine and no doubt true as far as it goes, but Carona's could have chosen to retire at any time during the last few months on that basis.
What's changed is his financial situation in terms of paying for his legal defense.
If you're facing a trial by a jury of your peers, would you rather sit in the defendant's chair as Mike Carona, Orange County Sheriff, or as Mike Carona, who used to be Orange County Sheriff but resigned under an ethical cloud?
Obviously, the former is a much stronger position. Plus, being the incumbent Sheriff is Carona's biggest bargaining chip with the federal prosecutors.
So what could outweigh the value of that consideration in the Sheriff's mind?: the prospect of more than a million dollars in free legal services walking out the door.
Jones Day, the mega law firm that had agreed to represent Carona for free, had informed Carona they couldn't do so until either the state Attorney General or Fair Political Practices Commission ruled on whether that would constitute an illegal gift to the Sheriff. Conflicting state statutes created uncertainty about the legality of such pro bono representation.
According to Schroeder, it would take months to obtain a ruling, and the trial couldn't be put on hold.
That put Carona in a position of deciding to fight the federal charges as the incumbent Sheriff but face the prospect of staggering legal bills he'd likely spend the rest of his life paying off, or go to trial as the resigned/retired Sheriff but with top-shelf legal representation for free.
Plus, by retiring now, Carona puts his pension beyond reach if he ends of losing in court.
I'll post video later of that portion of the presser I was able to video.
It's clear to me financial considerations are at the heart of Carona's decision to resign...er, retire.
The "concern for the department" reason is fine and no doubt true as far as it goes, but Carona's could have chosen to retire at any time during the last few months on that basis.
What's changed is his financial situation in terms of paying for his legal defense.
If you're facing a trial by a jury of your peers, would you rather sit in the defendant's chair as Mike Carona, Orange County Sheriff, or as Mike Carona, who used to be Orange County Sheriff but resigned under an ethical cloud?
Obviously, the former is a much stronger position. Plus, being the incumbent Sheriff is Carona's biggest bargaining chip with the federal prosecutors.
So what could outweigh the value of that consideration in the Sheriff's mind?: the prospect of more than a million dollars in free legal services walking out the door.
Jones Day, the mega law firm that had agreed to represent Carona for free, had informed Carona they couldn't do so until either the state Attorney General or Fair Political Practices Commission ruled on whether that would constitute an illegal gift to the Sheriff. Conflicting state statutes created uncertainty about the legality of such pro bono representation.
According to Schroeder, it would take months to obtain a ruling, and the trial couldn't be put on hold.
That put Carona in a position of deciding to fight the federal charges as the incumbent Sheriff but face the prospect of staggering legal bills he'd likely spend the rest of his life paying off, or go to trial as the resigned/retired Sheriff but with top-shelf legal representation for free.
Plus, by retiring now, Carona puts his pension beyond reach if he ends of losing in court.
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Mike Carona
Mr. Ayer registered as a Republican to be electable in an interim election with no incumbents. He did...
Why would a top flight legal firm do pro bono work on a case like this? It doesn't make sense. What are they getting out of it?
fame and famous, idiot
Is anybody else upset with what seems like an abuse of the pension system? At the least is seems a bit swarmy way to skirt the indicted/convicted/retired status that would affect his pension.
Isn't this an example of the kind of pension abuse that we are so fed up with in Orange County?
Just Asking,
I couldnt agree more. This man used his office for which he is going to receive a pension for as a means to gain wealth and power right from the get go. He should not receieve any pension other than what he contributed himself.
I am upeset about the pension we all will pay for someone who has sucked money illegaly and profited from that money for years. It would seem he relinquished a right to a sheriffs's pension when he went to the dark side. If convicted, I hope they can stop that craziness! Do we let criminals in jail profit ferom their crimes? How this guy speaks as though he is a man of respect is beyond me. Admitted adultry for years, bringing his wife AND lover into his illegal dealings, sex perversions, and criminal behavior by any elected official's standards....great speech he gave---who fell for it?? Anyone share my contempt??
Is Carona vested? He took office at the beginning of 1999 didn't he? That's only nine years if you include 2008. What's that get you in the public employee pension game? Can somebody help me with the math?
Resignation is an admission of GUILT. Therefore, Carona may have cut a deal with the feds to save his skin and himself from jail time.
Is Corona vested? I believe his retirement account began as a cop and carried over to his time as a sheriff.
Redperegrine,
Carona is vested. Before taking office as Sheriff, he had been with the then Marshal's office since 1976. There was no break in service with his employment on the County of Orange payroll. That would give him around 32 continuous years of service.
D'oh! I forgot all about his bailiff job.