The players in the case
Michael S. Carona, 53, served nine years as Orange County’s sheriff before retiring in January. He was indicted in October 2007 on charges that he defrauded the public by accepting tens of thousands of dollars in cash and gifts from people who wanted favors from him. He is also charged with witness tampering. Carona has pleaded not guilty and says he reimbursed people who gave him gifts and did not accept cash bribes. (Karen Tapia-Andersen / Los Angeles Times)
Deborah Carona, 57, has been married to
George Jaramillo, 48, an attorney and former police sergeant, served as one of Carona’s assistant sheriffs and one of his closest confidants until he was fired. Jaramillo has pleaded guilty to federal tax charges and is expected to testify against Carona. He has not been sentenced. He already served a year in jail for lying to a grand jury and misusing a county helicopter. (Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times)
Donald Haidl, 57, is a wealthy Newport Beach businessman who served as an assistant sheriff. He is expected to be a key prosecution witness and testify that Carona promised him the assistant sheriff job and other favors in exchange for cash, gifts, trips and the use of his yacht and airplane. Haidl pleaded guilty to federal tax charges and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. He has not been sentenced. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
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Joseph Cavallo, 53, is an attorney and longtime friend who allegedly conspired with Carona, Jaramillo and Haidl to get cases steered to him in exchange for a cut of the proceeds. He is expected to testify against Carona. He has served house arrest in a kickback scheme with bail agents and could lose his law license. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
