Carona trial delayed for two months

A federal judge this week postponed the corruption trial of former Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona until October, agreeing with the defense team’s request for additional time to prepare.

In granting the continuance, U.S. District Judge Andrew J. Guilford said “this case is so unusual and complex” that it would be unreasonable to expect Carona to be ready by the previously scheduled Aug. 26 trial date.

Carona’s lawyers requested more time after prosecutors turned over 12,000 pages of witness statements in late June.

“Among other things, this high-profile case has presented many distinct issues and voluminous documents,” Guilford said Friday.

Guilford agreed to Carona’s request for an Oct. 28 trial date, noting that the court will aim to finish the proceedings before Christmas.

Carona, 53, served nine years in office before resigning in January to fight charges that he misused his office to enrich himself and others in a broad conspiracy that included his wife, Deborah, and former mistress, Debra Hoffman. All three have pleaded not guilty. Deborah Carona will be tried separately.

The trial of Carona and Hoffman is expected to take six to eight weeks, and more than 100 witnesses are expected to testify. Under the schedule outlined Friday, the court will begin questioning potential jurors in early October and witness lists are due a week before the trial.

-- Christine Hanley