ORANGE COUNTY IN BANKRUPTCY : O.C. Grand Jury Term Extended for Fiscal Probe
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday extended the term of the Orange County Grand Jury for another six months so the panel can continue its investigation into the county’s financial collapse.
The grand jury had requested additional time to complete its probe. The jury said it would be too expensive and too time-consuming for a new panel to acquaint itself with the issues concerning the county’s Dec. 6 bankruptcy.
Grand jury foreman Mario Lazo said jurors have heard from a number of witnesses who have “given us unusual insight into the causes and possible solutions” for the county’s crisis. He said it would take a new panel at least three months to get up to speed.
The supervisors unanimously agreed and granted an extension until Dec. 31. The jury’s term was supposed to expire June 30. Supervisor Roger R. Stanton suggested that the county view the extension as a “test case” to determine whether all future grand juries should sit for 18 months instead of 12.
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