Carona’s lawman status: What now?

Is Michael S. Carona required to step down as Orange County sheriff because he has been indicted?

No. California law would force him out of his job only if he is convicted of a felony.

Has an indicted sheriff ever remained in office?

Yes. Two California sheriffs have been indicted on public corruption charges since 1989. Both stayed in office several months before resigning. Each was eventually convicted of the crimes.

Can the Orange County Board of Supervisors force Carona out?

No, because Carona is an elected official. Under current law, supervisors can only appoint an interim successor and call a special election if Carona resigns or is convicted.

Who is paying Carona’s defense lawyers?

No public money is involved in Carona’s defense, Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jim Amormino said. Carona’s political advisor Mike Schroeder said Carona was using his own funds.

Will the FBI and other agencies continue to cooperate with the Sheriff’s Department on other investigations and share databases?

Yes. Amormino said Tuesday that joint investigations between sheriff’s and federal authorities were continuing and the department continued to have full access to national law enforcement databases.

In June, however, the Law Enforcement Intelligence Unit, an international network that gathers data on organized crime, cut off the department’s access to its information. The unit cited Carona’s alleged ties to people “who have [pleaded] guilty to or are suspected of involvement in criminal activity . . . including traditional organized crime activity.”