O.C. reserve severs ties to Samueli

Henry Samueli, the billionaire co-founder of Broadcom and owner of the Anaheim Ducks, was dismissed last month from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reserve program after pleading guilty to a felony charge of lying to regulators about his role in an alleged plot to secretly reward employees by manipulating stock options.

Samueli turned in his badge and ID card within days of receiving a June 25 letter from the Sheriff’s Department informing him that his services were no longer needed. Although the letter did not indicate a reason for the dismissal, it was sent two days after he reached the plea agreement with federal prosecutors.

Felony convictions often result in dismissal, according to Sheriff’s Department rules.

Samueli, through a spokesman, declined to comment.

He is among 31 civilians who have left the reserve ranks since former Sheriff Michael S. Carona resigned in January to fight criminal charges that he misused his office in a broad conspiracy to enrich himself and others, including his wife and former mistress. Of those who have left, 11 -- including Samueli -- were dismissed, though the reasons were not detailed.

Samueli also becomes the latest member of the reserve with ties to Carona to lose his credentials after running into legal trouble. Others include Carona’s former martial arts instructor, Raymond Yi, who was accused of flashing his reserve badge and a gun at a foursome playing in front of him on a San Bernardino County golf course. Yi was convicted earlier this year of making a criminal threat; he is seeking a new trial on the grounds that a courtroom bailiff improperly spoke with the jury about a gun used as evidence at trial.

Newly appointed Sheriff Sandra Hutchens said she plans to review the reserve program, which still includes Carona allies and prominent Orange County citizens. The program has been tainted by allegations that badges were doled out as political favors and that some members did not complete their training or background checks.

Carona has repeatedly denied there was any quid pro quo in the distribution of badges. But former Assistant Sheriff Don Haidl, whom Carona put in charge of the reserve program, told federal investigators that the program was a front for raising money for Carona’s political ambitions and that a badge could be bought for a $1,000 campaign donation. Haidl is a key prosecution witness in the government’s corruption case.

Samueli donated $1,000 to Carona’s political campaign in 2001 as an individual and $1,500 in 2006 through a company he and his wife run, campaign disclosure statements show.

Carona invited Samueli in late 2001 to join a special category of civilian volunteers that Carona created shortly after taking office in 1999, according to Sheriff’s Department documents obtained under a public records request.

Known as professional service responders, these volunteers are business executives, doctors, lawyers and other professionals who have no police powers but are issued badges and ID cards and are expected to lend their expertise at no cost to the department. There are more than 400 of them.

When Samueli was appointed in 2002, the members were obligated to volunteer a minimum of 24 hours a year.

Sheriff’s officials said this week that they have no records of his service in 2002 and 2003. He is credited for serving 45 hours in 2004 and 48 hours in 2005 for an “Admin/Special Project” and meeting, according to department records. The documents provide no further explanation, and Sheriff’s Department officials said they did not know what the project was or what role Samueli played in it.

Samueli did not volunteer any time in 2006, 2007 or this year, the records show.

Sheriff’s spokesman John McDonald said reserves were informed in 2006 that the department was abandoning the 24-hour obligation as part of a restructuring. Volunteers have since been dropped from the program if they fail to respond when called on to contribute their skills and time.

“Some have skills that are rarely needed,” McDonald said. “When they are needed, it’s good to have them available.”

Samueli pleaded guilty last month in federal court to making a false statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The government is recommending five years’ probation and $12.2 million in fines and penalties at sentencing, scheduled for Aug. 18.

Samueli’s career has largely been defined by his philanthropy. His name adorns the engineering schools at UC Irvine and UCLA and a 500-seat performing arts theater in the Orange County arts district. His donations also launched the Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library at Chapman University and a marine institute for children in Dana Point.

But his guilty plea has complicated his legacy. He has been suspended by the National Hockey League, and UC officials are studying whether his name should be removed from the engineering schools.

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christine.hanley@latimes.com

stuart.pfeifer@latimes.com