And here’s the PDF: HT to Scott Moxley at OC Weekly and the LA Times. Before you clikc on the transcript, please note that there are more F-bombs in here than in a typical scene from The Sopranos.
Some highlights from the transcripts as the Feds show a peak at their hand:
Haidl secretly recorded three conversations with Carona in 2007. The transcripts released today capture exchanges during the third and final meeting in August.On the tapes, prosecutors say, when discussing the cash payments, Carona tells Haidl that “unless there was a pinhole in your ceiling that evening” that he would falsely claim that he never got money from Haidl. “Pinhole,” prosecutors say, referred to a hidden camera.“I’m OK getting up on the stand and saying that,” Haidl tells Carona, according to the transcripts.
“It could be either one of us getting up on the stand and saying that,” Carona responds.
Later in the conversation, prosecutors say, Haidl and Carona are discussing whether the government would be able to trace the cash payments. At that point, according to the transcripts, Haidl tells Carona that “as long as our stories are straight, I’m OK, as long as I know there’s no trail anywhere.”
“No trail anywhere,” Carona responds.
“OK,” Haidl says.ÂÂ
Wowee. Now the Carona defense team is going to try and have the whole tapes business tossed out as inadmissable. And even if they are successful in doing so, may I present a quote from Jon Fleischman, former spokeshole for the OCSD, before the BOS on Tuesday:“If the people in public office are doing wrong things..if they are taking money and inappropriately benefiting the people who gave them money. Shame on those office holders. They should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.â€Â
Between the presidential primaries and the Carona trial this summer, we have much to look forward to this year.
Dan, I love that pic of the old reel to reel tape player. I’m old enough to remember when that was considered state of the art.
On to the story. I will be interested to see how Carona man lover Schroeder spins this one. Way back when it was detailed that Haidl had worn a wire Mikey’s PR spin was that this conversation was nothing more than Carona telling Haidl that he (Carona) remembered things differently. Or words to that effect. I also wonder how JonnyFlash will spin this story on the disgraced sheriff. From the looks of things, JonnyFlash will also be having to come to grips with a disgraced Jeff Denham as well if the signature count for recall is any indication of an outcome.
I loved those old reel to reels to; anyone know where to get one? I worked on them all the time when I did radio news by in New York state.
Do an eBay search. To paraphrase Cal Worthington, they got a whole gang of ’em.
I can’t believe you guys are wasting electrons talking about reel to reel tapes. The stuff in those transcripts is GREAT! I haven’t had such a good time reading in YEARS.
Priceless, truly priceless. Now the only question is this: why did the Feds release this on a Friday? They clearly waited until the election fol-de-rol had died down, but why not wait until Monday? Is there going to be more on Monday?
Oh, be still my heart!
It’s not often that I will come to indicted ex-Sheriff Mike Carona’s defense, but I want to clarify one particular line of recorded dialogue federal agents must have botched. They claim Mikey said, “There’s no trail anywhere,” referring to secret, illegal payments our crooked sheriff allegedly took while he corrupted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
This is dead wrong. Regardless of the conversation before and after, an exasperated Carona surely said, “There’s no new tail anywhere!!!”
Can we show a bit of empathy here folks? He can’t help that he’s always horny.
Sure, Dirty Don Haidl was talking cover up, but Carona couldn’t pull his mind away from scoring with overweight, insecure married ladies in the Orange County Sheriff’s secretarial pool or with the wives of criminal defendants in his jail…
Maybe Scott or Gila can clarify – Who or What is “Flat Ass”?
No wonder Republicans were so proud of America’s Sheriff.
Not only does he know how to enrich himself personally without leaving a paper trail, but he also seems very knowledgable about standards of evidence and statutes of limitations.
I just hope we don’t have to let too many violent offenders out of jail to make room for all the Republicans who will be prosecuted for their crimes under the new Democratic administration.
Mike Carona talking about untraceable illegal money reminds me of Ray Liotta and Robert De Niro talking to the night commandant in “Goodfellas.” “Totally untraceable” See minute 9 on this clip and see the similarity between the Goodfellas and Mike Carona talking to Don Haidle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atsijRdLovo
I can’t wait to read what Jubal and JonnyFlash have to say about this. I bet it will be enlightening given their distaste for corrupt public officials.
Neither will say anything other than innocent until proven guilty. Add Schroeder and Probolsky to the list too.
I hear you Dan. Amazing how many conservatives all of a sudden believe in constitutional rights when it is one of their own. They didn’t have any problems convicting Clinton prior to due process.
In fairness, Red County posted something but by Scott Graves. You have to wonder what is on the other tapes.
Game over Mike. Cut a deal with the deals and spare us taxpayers the cost of a trial.
sounds like a bunch of lefties, why orange county, not enough poison
in la. blue state for an anti-spam word, got to be kidding me.