Video-Erasure Case of Deputy Goes to Jury

An Orange County sheriff’s deputy accused of asking a civilian employee to destroy videotapes of two on-duty confrontations was characterized by a prosecutor Friday as an out-of-control, corrupt cop who should be punished for abusing his badge.

George Kluchonic was depicted by his own attorney as a respected, seasoned deputy who has worked his entire career to preserve the integrity of the law and has nothing to hide.

An Orange County Superior Court jury in Santa Ana heard closing arguments and began deliberating on the fifth day of Kluchonic’s trial. He is charged with two misdemeanor counts of evidence destruction for allegedly asking a community service officer to erase two patrol-car videotapes.

In the wake of Kluchonic’s arrest, prosecutors have dismissed two cases in which he was expected to testify, two suspects have filed lawsuits, and the public defender’s office is reviewing other cases.