Orange County Republican leaders delivered a narrow endorsement Monday to embattled Sheriff Michael S. Carona, one month after he lost the local party's backing in a close and contentious vote.
Carona, who will face three challengers in the June election, barely won the two-thirds support he needed for the party's endorsement. He fell one vote shy of gaining the endorsement in March.
...SNIP...
The earlier snub stung Carona, whose political career since his 1998 election has suffered from department scandals and allegations of
sexual misconduct and
political cronyism — allegations he has denied. One of his hand-picked assistant sheriffs, George Jaramillo, goes on trial later this year on
felony bribery and
obstruction of justice charges.
Additionally, the state attorney general is investigating allegations that Carona
sexually harassed two women and whether he improperly billed his election committee for $130,000 in expenses.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-carona18apr18,1,2187987.story