Improper Activity Is Alleged in Race for Sheriff’s Post

A contentious race for the next sheriff of Orange County will be decided in 18 days, prompting complaints from both camps of improper campaign activity.

Last week, Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Harnish circulated a memo ordering deputies to remove stickers or decals from police vehicles and warned them against advocating for candidates while on duty after he spotted a “Paul Walters for Sheriff” decal on the back of a patrol car.

Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters is running against Marshal Michael S. Carona to replace longtime Sheriff Brad Gates, who will retire next year. The election is June 2.

Senior Assistant Atty. Gen. Gary Schons in San Diego said his office is examining a complaint by Deputy Marshal Steve Savin that he was ordered to drive his patrol car from Harbor Municipal Court to department headquarters in Santa Ana so it could be used in a photo for a newspaper story on Carona’s campaign. It is illegal for government employees to engage in campaign activity while at work or to use public resources to assist a campaign.

Schons said Savin’s was the first complaint his office has received about Carona’s campaign. It was referred from the district attorney’s office because Walters has endorsed Dist. Atty. Mike Capizzi for state attorney general.

Two complaints have been received about Walters’ campaign, he said, including an allegation that Walters improperly solicited Santa Ana police officers for donations while on duty, which still is under investigation.

Sheriff’s Lt. Hector Rivera said his office is looking into any improper campaign activity and will take “appropriate action.”

The sheriff’s complaints include allegations that precinct information for Walters’ campaign was passed out at the San Clemente substation and that campaign sign-up sheets were distributed during briefings.

Carona said he asked for a patrol unit to be brought to his office because the newspaper reporter wanted a photographer to take pictures of him in uniform by a marshal’s car. While prompted by the campaign, the story included information “as part of my job as marshal,” he said.