Carona’s lawyers seek diaries

Attorneys defending former Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona in a corruption case are seeking access to three volumes of diaries apparently written by Carona’s chief assistant sheriff, longtime confidant George Jaramillo.

In a motion filed Wednesday, Carona’s lawyers argued that their client was entitled to see the diaries because Jaramillo had asked federal prosecutors for permission to refer to them before providing certain information related to corruption allegations against Carona.

“The government is clearly aware that Mr. Jaramillo’s diaries are relevant and allowed Mr. Jaramillo to refer to them for additional information,” the motion says. “The defense believes and fully expects the government to offer these documents in their case-in-chief.”

Jaramillo is a key prosecution witness in the corruption case against Carona.

The existence of the diaries was revealed in 12,000 pages of witness statements that the government turned over to the defense in late June. Carona served nine years in office before resigning in January to fight charges that he had misused his office to enrich himself and others in a broad conspiracy that included his wife and a former mistress.

 christine.hanley@latimes.com