Why does (Orange County Sheriff) Mike Carona get a $200,000 pension?(Who says crime doesn't pay.)

orange county register ^ | January 16, 2008 | staff

[kellynla]

Here are the answers to some of the questions readers have had this week about the resignation of Sheriff Mike Carona:

Q: If it's illegal for Carona to accept the pro bono services of two attorneys working on his criminal case, how could Mike Schroeder represent him for free for all those years?

A:State law allows for free legal services to political candidates under the government's election code, so Schroeder was free to act as Carona's lawyer on those issues for, well, free. (Schroeder also worked pro bono on Trung Nguyen's unsuccessful election challenge of Supervisor Janet Nguyen.)

Watchdog Shirley Grindle's complaint to the California Attorney General, which triggered Carona's resignation, refers to the difference. "It is my understanding that free legal services to a candidate or elected official in the state of California, for defending against charges that are not associated with the violation of state or local campaign, disclosure, or election laws, or for a recount contest, constitutes a gift."

[kellynla]

I know, I know...Carona is innocent 'til proven guilty but even if proven guilty...

"A new state law that became effective in 2006 denies a public pension to any public official convicted of wrongdoing in office. So because of that law, if Carona is convicted, he would be denied benefits accrued from January 2006 through his leaving office, which is just one year."

[rfp1234]

If he’s a RAT, he can’t be guilty [/s]...

[edcoil]

He was negotiating to cop a guilty plea for the last six months. Everything was agreed except he refused jail time.

This stuff really needs to be stopped. The country Board needs to stop all funding to politically elected country representatives that do not complete their terms

[investigateworld]

In the grand scheme of corruption in Cali, the guy is a lightweight player.

Wonder who he P.O'd?

[edcoil]

I’m guessing the wife - she found out about the mistress.

[Parley Baer]

“I know, I know...Carona is innocent ‘til proven guilty but even if proven guilty...”

Lets see how this thing plays out.

[investigateworld]

That would be funny -- as both her and the mistresses both got indicted,

Anyone know where there's a photo of the 'side action'?

[edcoil]

There is no justice system any longer. Everyone knows that. It is called the legal system and whoever has the most, gets the most. In this case he is getting it free so there must me a lot of dirt at the top.

Course in OC we already know this.