VOICES

“I express my sincerest apology to the people of Orange County for my actions with regard to these investments and the allocation of interest upon them. And I hope that, some day, they will ultimately find it in their hearts to forgive me.”

--Matthew R. Raabe

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“I know there will be people who will think you were not treated fairly. You obviously received the most severe sentence. When you handle public funds, you have to have a higher standard. The public has a right to expect [its money] will be handled meticulously.”

--Judge Everett W. Dickey, in sentencing Raabe

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“I thought Mr. Citron should have gone to prison. But he cooperated early on, and I didn’t find him to be untruthful in the least. . . . To compare the two is improper and misinformed.”

--Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Matthew Anderson

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“This [sentence] is really off base in the light of how Mr. Citron was sentenced.”

--Gary M. Pohlson, Raabe’s attorney

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“I think he deserved more time in prison based on the magnitude of the deceit he perpetrated on the taxpayers of Orange County.”

--Treasurer-Tax Collector John M.W. Moorlach

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“We think justice has been served by the sentence.”

--Dist. Atty. Michael R. Capizzi

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“He’s being made the scapegoat for the entire county bankruptcy. Why is he going to prison when everyone else remains free? It’s not fair.”

--Carole Walters, president of Orange Taxpayers Assn.

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“I don’t relish the thought of sending anyone to state prison, but there has to be consequences for criminal acts.”

--Bruce Whitaker,leader of the Committees of Correspondence watchdog group