Haidl sidesteps questions about reimbursing donations in other campaigns

A Newport Beach millionaire stepped delicately around questions Friday about whether he had illegally reimbursed political contributions to elected officials other than the donations he testified he had laundered during the first campaign of former Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona.

Don Haidl was asked specifically about reimbursements to the campaigns of former Los Angeles Mayor and City Atty. James K. Hahn, former Sacramento Sheriff Lou Blanas and two Southern California politicians who served in the 1990s.

Haidl testified that he either did not recall reimbursing the donors to the campaigns or did not believe he did so.

“I’m not saying it never happened,” Haidl said.

Hahn and Blanas could not be reached for comment.

The subject was raised as Haidl was being cross-examined by an attorney for Carona’s former mistress, Debra Hoffman, who is on trial with the ex-sheriff on federal charges that they misused the powers of his office to enrich themselves and others.

The attorney, Sylvia Torres-Guillen, was reminded by U.S. District Judge Andrew Guilford of her obligations to ask questions in good faith as she moved into territory that involved individuals not tied to this case. Torres-Guillen told Guilford she had “good faith to believe” that Haidl reimbursed the politicians, and that he “victimized” them without their knowledge.

Aside from Hahn and Blanas, Haidl was also asked about reimbursing contributors to former congressman and state Assemblyman Matthew Martinez, who also served on the Monterey Park City Council; and former state Assemblywoman and onetime Pomona City Council member Nell Soto.

Soto’s voice mail was full. Martinez, reached by phone at his Virginia home, said he did not recognize Haidl’s name and did not remember getting any contributions from him.

“I don’t know the guy,” Martinez said.

Haidl is a key witness for prosecutors. During his two weeks on the stand, he has testified that he laundered at least $30,000 into Carona’s first campaign in 1998; bribed him with tens of thousands of dollars; and at the sheriff’s request, paid Hoffman $65,000. Throughout his testimony, both sides have played and replayed the conversations that Haidl agreed to secretly tape in the summer of 2007 after pleading guilty to lesser tax charges.

On Friday, Torres-Guillen wrapped up her cross-examination of Haidl by playing a series of tape segments during which Carona tells Haidl in different ways that Hoffman didn’t know anything. Her final questions sought to clear Hoffman of wrongdoing, but some portions of the tapes appeared to incriminate Carona.

During one exchange already played more than once for jurors, Carona and Haidl talk about any cash that Hoffman might have received. Carona tells Haidl that he would pay half the $400 rent for her office because it was a place Carona and Hoffman could have sex, and that he also gave her money to pay for hotel rooms.

“But she don’t know where it came from?” Haidl asks.

“Has no idea where it came from,” Carona responds.

During a different segment, Carona tells Haidl that his wife also doesn’t know anything, and that neither woman had anything to “give up.”

“This is why Deb [Hoffman] is guaranteed . . . give her sodium pentothal. She knows nothing. Debbie Carona knows nothing.”

“That’s my concern, Mike,” Haidl responds.

“No, nothing, zero, zilch, nada, zip,” Carona says.

Torres-Guillen asked Haidl why he didn’t take opportunities to correct Carona and say that Hoffman was involved in a conspiracy. In doing so, Torres-Guillen went down a path well-trod by Jeffrey Rawitz, one of Carona’s attorneys, during his cross-examination of Haidl.

“As I told Mr. Rawitz . . . my words, his words are all on paper,” Haidl said. “And it’s for everyone here to decide. Not me.”

Hanley is a Times staff writer.

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