Orange County D.A. Is Probing Donations to Sheriff’s Rival

The Orange County district attorney’s office is investigating donations made to the political campaign of a lieutenant who is trying to unseat his boss, two-term sheriff Michael S. Carona

The investigation has fueled outrage among Lt. William Hunt and his supporters, who see the probe as being politically motivated. Carona is up for reelection next year, and the race has divided the department.

“I think it’s a gross misuse of authority,” said Hunt, a 20-year veteran who supervises the department’s San Clemente station.

But investigators with the prosecutor’s office said such suspicions were far off base.

The inquiry is the latest in a series of legal developments rocking the Sheriff’s Department. Former Assistant Sheriff George Jaramillo is facing bribery charges. Another former assistant sheriff resigned to focus on his son’s legal problems.

The state attorney general’s office is investigating complaints lodged by two women -- both of whom are related to Jaramillo -- that they were sexually harassed by Carona.

One of Carona’s reserve officers is facing felony charges for allegedly pulling his service revolver on a group of golfers he thought were playing too slowly.

The probe into Hunt’s campaign donations began after prosecutors received a written complaint from an attorney hired by Capt. Christine Murray, who was indicted two months ago by the state attorney general on suspicion of soliciting political contributions for Carona from sheriff’s employees.

She faces 16 misdemeanor counts.

The investigation of Hunt’s campaign centers on similar accusations of improper solicitation.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Bill Feccia said his office had no choice but to pursue the matter. Feccia said he asked the attorney general’s office on several occasions to handle the complaint, arguing that “it puts us in an uncomfortable position, because some people would insinuate our investigation was politically motivated.”

The attorney general, however, said there was no conflict for the district attorney’s office to investigate the allegation.

“If we were out to get someone politically, the last thing we’d be doing is asking the attorney general to accept the case several times, which I personally did,” Feccia said.

Hunt said Monday the investigation seemed like little more than a fishing expedition intended to intimidate him and discourage colleagues from supporting his campaign.

“I think it’s a clear attempt by the sheriff -- and hopefully not, but maybe, the D.A. -- to prevent people from engaging in the political process,” Hunt said.

Hunt and his supporters cite the source of the complaint, Murray, and her relationship to Carona and his administration as reasons to question the motivations of the investigation.

Murray was charged with contacting four captains, 10 lieutenants and two civilian directors in May to solicit contributions for Carona, who is seeking a third term next year.

State government code prohibits an officer or employee of a local government agency from soliciting political contributions from other employees. Each violation carries a sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Murray has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

In the last few weeks, deputies who donated to Hunt’s campaign have been contacted by the district attorney’s office.

Sgt. Brian Heaney, a patrol sergeant who serves on the board of directors of the Assn. of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, said he was contacted about a week ago. Heaney, who has been with the department 26 years, contributed $1,400 to Hunt last year.

“I told [the investigator] that I knew of nothing being done that would be construed as being a violation of campaign law,” Heaney said.

“My biggest concern about what the D.A. is doing is what the true motive is for the investigation, and the relationships between the primary parties involved.”