The players in the case

Michael S. Carona, 53, served nine years as Orange County’s sheriff before retiring in January. He was indicted in October 2007 on charges that he defrauded the public by accepting tens of thousands of dollars in cash and gifts from people who wanted favors from him. He is also charged with witness tampering. Carona has pleaded not guilty and says he reimbursed people who gave him gifts and did not accept cash bribes.