Deputy Is Accused of Trying to Erase Tapes

A decorated Orange County sheriff’s deputy was suspended and criminally charged with trying to destroy videotapes of two on-duty confrontations, including one in which he reportedly accosted and cursed at a man.

The videotapes in question were recorded from cameras that are placed on many Sheriff’s Department patrol cars.

Prosecutors allege that George Kluchonic, a 15-year department veteran who was once named south Orange County deputy of the year, asked a civilian employee to delete the tapes. The employee reported the deputy to supervisors, who launched an investigation, said district attorney spokeswoman Tori Richards.

Kluchonic, 43, was charged with two counts of attempted destruction of evidence and is on paid administrative leave.

In one instance, Kluchonic allegedly used force to restrain a 19-year-old San Juan Capistrano man who fled his home Feb. 13 after a deputy arrived to investigate a family disturbance.

Kluchonic arrested the man, Cory Baima, on suspicion of resisting a peace officer. Last month, prosecutors dismissed all charges against Baima.

Prosecutors did not describe the altercation but said the deputy cursed and accosted the man. Baima’s lawyer, W. Joseph Heneghan, said Kluchonic used undue force against Baima and had no cause to arrest him. “He came along and put him over the hood of the car,” Heneghan said. “He roughed him up.”

The deputy’s lawyer said the allegations are the result of a misunderstanding.

“George made a facetious comment like, ‘I wish we could erase that videotape,’ ” said his attorney, Thomas Goethals. “Whether the property officer misunderstood what he said or is not reporting it accurately, I’m not sure yet. But I’ll find out.”

The second videotape depicts a Jan. 25 incident in which Kluchonic confronted a pedestrian and questioned him about allegedly being drunk in public. The man was not arrested; Goethals said the tape depicts nothing improper.

Orange County sheriff’s deputies have outfitted patrol cars with video cameras for more than a decade, said department spokesman Jon Fleischman. He declined to discuss the allegations against Kluchonic.

Kluchonic has been honored for heroism and will beat the charges against him, Goethals said.

“I told the prosecutor this morning if they don’t back away, a jury is going to acquit George,” Goethals said. “I normally don’t make predictions, but a jury is going to say, ‘What are you people doing? This is a good cop who never had any intention to destroy evidence.’ ”