It’s pure twaddle […] It’s simply nonsense to suggest that volunteer time is a donation.” – Mike Schroeder
“Where’d he get that idea? […] I just don’t play favorites.”
– Shirley Grindle
Just as OC Sheriff Mike Carona faces enough scandal over his criminal charges, a new scandal emerges. Several top-notch white-collar defense attorneys, including one who’s defended the likes of “Scooter” Libby and Ollie North, have offered to “volunteer” time to defend Carona in court. Yes, you heard me right. These lawyers want to defend Carona for free.
OK, I see that perplexed look on your face now. What the heck is wrong with that? Well, not everyone thinks Mike Carona can receive all this free legal work. Shirley Grindle, OC’s famous campaign finance watchdog, filed a complaint last week with the California Attorney’s General’s Office, claiming Carona is violating the state law that bars public officials from accepting gifts over $395. Grindle counters that these attorneys charge many thousands of dollars for their legal services, and that their “gift” of free legal help to Mike Carona is just too much.
So who’s in the wrong here? Is Shirley Grindle going too far with this innocent offer of help? Or are Mike Carona and his cronies violating the law by doing this? What do you think about all this “free” legal aid for Sheriff Mike Carona?
I want to hear what you have to say about this latest Carona scandal. Is it no big deal? Or is there something fishy here?
Go ahead. Make my day. Have your say.
So doe sthis mean when Carona accepted Jon Fleischman’s “pro-bono” media relations help when the indictment was announced that the law was violated? Its a professional service billed by the hour?
Dan-
Interesting question. I wonder when Shirley Grindle will start to look into that. Oh yes, and thank goodness for Shirley Grindle! If it weren’t for good watchdogs like her, who knows what all these crooked pols would be able to get away with?
Were are all the bloggers who jumped all over janet for taking money for her legal expenses against trung?
Contributions of money or services are treated the same by elected officials. The Sheriff as Shirley points out must be held to the same rules that govern all electeds. Lawyers and Flash’s services must be reported and count against limitations on donations from a single source.
Strange how laws don’t apply to electeds with a (r) next to their names.
Fred, please, the laws apply to everyone.
I think it speaks more to the nature of the case against Mike than anything else. I also think when criminal charges are leveled against someone it should be regulated a little differently than civil cases. When a big law firm is willing to take on a case like this pro bono, they have measured it and must have good feelings about it’s outcome, just makes sense they wouldn’t expose themselves to the lability otherwise.
I have known Mike for many years (before he managed anyone) and never seen anything he has done that was inappropriate. He has always been a kind and caring gentleman, going out of his way to help charitable causes. He and his wife have always been kind and caring as well, I have welcomed and am thankful for their input and participation of the past. I can’t help but believe that the charges are not true simply from what I have observed and known of them from my prior experiences. Knowing the individuals involved in the creating of them as well, I would be very apprehensive as to their complete veracity in the criminal charges.
Carl,
The man has been known to be unfaithful to his wife and family. How do you reconcile those acts with him being a kind and caring gentleman?
Conservatives were screaming for Clinton’s resignation long before Starr’s bogus impeachment charges. Yet that same group is now saying Carona is innocent till proven guilty.
I’ve said it before but I’ll repeat it. The definition of a liberal is a conservative whose just been arrested.
RHackett-
OK, I may have to take back what I said in the Ron Paul thread. That’s an awfully witty comment… And oh, how awfully true it is! Ain’t it amazing how these GOPers always accuse us of being “soft on crime”… Until one of their own is caught red-handed?
I too believe these federal charges to be wrong and think that Carona should stay in office until he has had a chance to defend himself. Regarding whether his private life is up to the public moral standards that everyone is now judging him by. I suggest that we turn off the trash radio (John and Ken) and stop reading the smut of the OC Weekly and wait for the real facts to come out.