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Judge refuses to toss Carona’s witness tampering conviction

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A federal judge Tuesday denied former Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona’s request to toss out his felony conviction for witness tampering in a high-profile corruption case, setting the stage for the ex-lawman’s sentencing in April.

His attorneys argued, among other things, that the former sheriff was charged and convicted under the wrong statute and that he deserved -- at a minimum -- a new trial.

But in a blanket ruling, U.S. District Judge Andrew J. Guilford denied the motion and others Carona was hoping would reverse the jury’s lone guilty verdict earlier this year.

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Carona, the highest-ranking law enforcement officer to be prosecuted in Orange County, served nine years as sheriff before he was indicted in 2007. He resigned months later to fight the charges.

After a trial that lasted about two months, he was acquitted of five of six felony corruption charges, including conspiracy. But the jury found him guilty of trying to influence the testimony of former Assistant Sheriff Don Haidl during a grand jury investigation into corruption in the sheriff’s administration. Carona is scheduled to be sentenced on that count April 27.

Probation officers have recommended that Carona serve 6 1/2 years in federal prison. Carona’s attorneys are seeking probation.

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christine.hanley@latimes.com

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