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Carona rival’s lawsuit thrown out
October 22nd, 2009, 10:33 am · 106 Comments · posted by Rachanee Srisavasdi
A First Amendment lawsuit brought by former sheriff’s Lt. Bill Hunt against ex-sheriff Mike Carona — a case that was under deliberations by a Los Angeles jury — was tossed out today by a federal judge who granted Carona’s motion to dismiss.
U.S. District Judge Margaret Morrow ruled that in light of the jury’s findings on questions posed to them about Hunt’s role in the department, Hunt was deemed to be a department policymaker, according to Carona’s lawyer, Norman Watkins.
“The jury’s findings were consistent with the evidence,” Watkins said. “I think the court made the right call.”
Hunt, who is again running for sheriff next year, said he “strongly disagrees” with the judge’s decision. He does not yet know if he is able to appeal the judge’s ruling.
“Obviously, we’re disappointed,” he said. “I believed in the case. I need to take some time and sort things out and think about what the next step will be.”
The judge also decided that Carona is entitled to “qualified immunity,” which shields public officials from liability for the violation of an individual’s constitutional rights in some cases, Watkins said.
Hunt unsuccessfully ran against Carona for sheriff in 2006. After Carona won the election, he demoted Hunt — then a lieutenant who oversaw San Clemente police services — to a deputy position. Carona and the county reasoned Hunt’s criticisms of Carona’s administration during the campaign violated department policy.
Rather than take the demotion, Hunt resigned and sued, alleging his criticism of Carona was protected under the First Amendment. The county argued that Hunt’s criticism was not protected speech because Hunt, as a member of Carona’s executive team who was running for office, was subject to termination.
The jury –which began deliberating the case yesterday — was sent home, and judgment entered in favor of Carona.
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No Kidding . This meritless case should have never got this far
clear eyes says:
October 22, 2009 at 10:56 amNo Kidding . This meritless case should have never got this far
==================
You are the typical GED cop playing lawyer.
Hunt has a soild case and this will be appealed, and over turend.
**”The judge also decided that Carona is entitled to ‘qualified immunity,” which shields public officials from liability for the violation of an individual’s constitutional rights in some cases, Watkins said.”**
Carona is NOT entitled to qualified immunity for violating the 1st Amendment.
I am pretty surprised at the judge taking this out of the jury’s hands after the trial had gone to the jury and while the jury was actively are deliberating. The issue of qualfied immunity is ALWAYS settled before trial on a summary judgement motion-to make such a ruling at this stage of the game is clearly error on the judges part.
What a sad day for Freedom of Speech in America. Does this qualify to go to the US Supreme court since the judge ruled against Hunt’s first amendment rights?
Wow…just…wow…
Too bad the suit was thrown out, Hunt should have been able to campaign freely for the Sheriff’s position. Regardless, Lt. Hunt will soon be Sheriff Hunt, as train-wreck Hutchens has shown the entire county just how badly we need a person of integrity and honor who will respect the rights of the people they serve for Sheriff. That person is Bill Hunt.
How can Bill Hunt run for Sheriff after he sues the County and the taxpayers. There is NO way he can be Sheriff after suing US. Caronoa wasn’t going to pay a dime anyway it would be US…
Judges protecting the crooks again.
If Carona were just an average joe you would have to pipe sunshine into him.
But when you are a member of the ‘club’ there are lots and lots of special privileges.
Remember a lot of these judges worked as DA’s or are close to Tony R. who I read in a blog a couple of days ago, told Carono to fire Hunt. Makes me wonder why this law suit was thrown out - Tony R. have any say in it? There is still too much “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch your,” going on in the OC. We need to vote a lot of these people out - been office way to long. Too much inbreeding.
sorry for the loss of words, “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch your back,” and … been in office way too long..;.
Lets wait for all the Carona bashers to spout off about how crooked Carona is. He obviously knew his powers and used it properly.
Boy if that’s not an ignorant comment…………..Carona is awaiting his fate after being convicted of a felony, for which he is expected to do 5+ years. Carona is a fraud, Bill Hunt is a leader with integrity. Sorry Chief, you deserve better.
Random Guy says:
Lets wait for all the Carona bashers to spout off about how crooked Carona is. He obviously knew his powers and used it properly.
========================
Errr….yeah, right, I guess thaty is why he is now a convicted FELON and is going to the slammer for 6 years- because he;
“knew his powers and used it properly.”……
Don’t tell me, you’re a deputy…… with a GED.
Wow random guy, I guess you haven’t read a newspaper in the last 3+ years.
are we done wasting money?
Carona is a convicted crook, Hunt tried to make a diiference, and HE is one who lost.. OC never ceases to amaze me. Carona is still laughing…
Carona is out on bail. He is sitting on a trap door because he lost in court and in life.
He built his own hell and he sees that in every mirror.
The real victim is his kid. Very very sad to have a dad who is a public disgrace.
That’s because Carona is a bona-fide “club” member.
Free legal counsel.
Convicted yet is allowed to wait years for his appeal to circulate throughout the system before there’s any possible chance of going to the slammer.
Your average joe would be sucking in sunshine through a tube.
And I bet a dime to a donut that when it plays out Mike the “club” member will get a complete pass since his “rights” were violated. HAH!
What about the “rights” of the OC citizen who has been totally embarrassed by the crook Carona and his fledgling cronies???
Oh wait. This is 2009. The ham ‘n egger citizen is kicked to the curb. I almost forgot! Silly me!
Hunt is a good man who sacrficed his career and stood up to corruption. I will fight and stand with Hunt this June 2010 election.
This is outrageous! Hunt certainly deserves to be compensated. Carona was a corrupt and criminal elected official and Hunt was one of the very few who had the guts to stand up to him.
The outcome of this case is going to drive more good people into silence!
That is ok if they become the silent majority that votes Hunt in when he runs for office. Also, remember Tony R should be up for re-election some day too. That one has to go too!
Our judicial system needs to be re-vamped. The French do it right. You cannot be an attorney and then be a judge. A person has to go to school to be a judge, if you have ever been a lawyer you cannot ever be a judge. Might stop some of this tap dancing around in the court room because they were buddies.
Carona is as low as they come. Hunt is nothing to crow about. He shot his mouth off and trashed his boss in public, and then when he loses, he wants bygones to be bygones. When Carona holds him accountable (a bit over the top I might add), he sulks, quits and goes home to file a lawsuit. Allthewhile collectioning a $100K+ a year pension. AND HE STILL THINKS THE COUNTY OWES HIM MILLIONS.
Welcome to the real world Hunt. I don’t work for government. But if I shout my mouth off and trash my boss and the company I work for in public and to the media, guess what, I won’t have the choice of being demoted, I’ll be fired!…that’s how it works in real life. And all the Hunt bonehead deputies hacks from the union have been saying all week long Hunt deserves the money and to be elected sheriff. Something about First Amendment rights. SORRY BOYS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, YOU DON’T KNOW THE LAW!!!
As far as electing this undesirable sheriff, it ain’t going to happen!
Hunt just screwed himself out of any chance of being elected. Yes, voters don’t like Hutchens. But they sure as heck don’t want an egomaniac who will let the deputy’s union run amock. Particulary one who claims to have suffered such severe emotionall anxiety and distress as Hunt. He admitted it himself, and wanted millions from the county to make him feel better. Here’s a quarter…call 1-800-WHO-CARES!!!…and make sure I get my quarter back you ungrateful, selfish, self serving pathetic excuses for public servants. THE ONLY PEOPLE YOU SERVE IS YOURSELVES!!!
GOOD RIDENCE!…LOOOOOOOOOSSSERRR!!!
LET’S PARTY!!!
Wow, another ignoramus who doesen’t get the big picture. Your attitude will only increase the chances people will keep their mouths shut about problems in government and do nothing to stop them.
Sure, let’s party.. What time does your shift at McDonald’s end?
Nice try GED boy.
Ouch, such an eloquant & stinging retort.
I’ll take a Filet-O-Fish combo with an Iced Tea, no lemon…
someone who wants to run against an incumbent should be free to be candid and not have to fear for his job. Whether Carona is a scumbag, or Hunt is not so good does not address that candid voices who want to speak about should be a contested position should be able to do so in public so that the public can render an informed decision.
The offices don’t “belong” to the incumbent, and this is a setback for the public who now won’t hear from those who would speak out about the job being done by the office holder.
the do work for us, remember, not for themselves, and it is the “entitlement” to stay in office that is served in this decision.
It is clear that some protection of the speech of those who wish to run regardless of their office should be protected, though narrowly in the case of running for office, not just for anything.
Think about it, do you want not to hear what this man said? I don’t care who he is, I was glad to hear what he had to say, sadly he is paying a high price to be out there and having to sue to see what his protects were (or were not)
Wow, Yeah Baby!!! - could you possibly be more clueless? He was running against Carona for Sheriff and campaigning. He correctly pointed out Carona’s shortcomings and paid with his career. That was wrong and he should have been compensated.
I can’t wait to see your witty reply, although I doubt I’ll be impressed. Good RIDDANCE to you.
“Lets have a Carona!!”
Carona should be in the Gray Bar hotel.
So the message being sent now is that if you want to run for the head honcho Sherriff’s position, you CAN NOT currently be working for said department?? That makes no sense. We want someone who KNOWS the department, and knows how and what to make changes to…. but instead, we’d rather allow someone to be demoted because they voiced said changes from an insiders position. Great. Next time around we’ll end up with some po-dunk junction retired sherriff trying to run OC…. fan-freaking-tastic.
But to grant Corona immunity??? REALLY???? Please tell me how THAT was appropriate in this case???
It wasn’t. The judge is a member of the same club Corona belongs to I guess…..
Why are 1/2 of these stories regular stories, and 1/2 are these “freedomblogging” things? OCR, just pick a format and stick with it.
I agree, I don’t like this format. You can’t recommend anything.
AND it doesn’t appear in the post history under the profile….
LGT said it…quit using two different blogging software interfaces. Pick one and stick with it. I was speaking to an OCR staffer, and she agreed with me that it is annoying and didn’t know why they didn’t just stick with one.
I would like to see all the names in Carona’s little black book of favors. He kind of reminds me of a politician years ago that said he would blow the whistle on everyone if he went down.
Ouch….That one came outta left field!
Wow, Hunt got screwed over again. Carona must have made a serious deal with the Devil…
I’d love to see a Jury poll though…
Hunt loses but Jaramillo wins?
The judge is retarded.
No kidding! The “justice” system makes me ill. I will be looking forward to voting for Hunt as his ideal is my favorite, Sheriff Joe Arpaio!
Wow, what a bummer. SO basically, if a current Deputy wants to run for Sherriff then they can’t bring up the policies that they disagree with, for fear of losing their job. That’s what the court has just condoned. Hunt did not tell the public anything that we didn’t already know. He stood up for change and cleaning up the department and was slapped down. So this means also that the deputies are not allowed to criticize their superiors out loud where (gasp) someone might hear them. Oh well
Wow. John Gotti, aka: The Teflon Don, ain’t got nuthin’ on Carona. Carona seems to be coated in Teflon that’s been sprayed with Pam. This guy has dodged more “bullets” than Bruce Willis’ character in “Die Hard”.
Now we can get on with getting Hunt elected to Sheriff.
This is a very sad day. I knew Lt. Hunt when I worked for the department and he was a very good man. A lot of people who supported him in that election were demonized by upper level Carona bum-kissers. There were transfers, etc, although his was the worst. I think it’s funny that every time Carona has run for that office, his own employees supported another candidate, like Paul Walters and Hunt. I will be voting for Hunt again when he runs, because I know him to be an honorable man.
That dog don’t HUNT…
Go back to LA and take the old lady with ya
I just donated to Hunts campaign I hope you will to
Bill Hunt for Sheriff 2010!!
i hate seeing Carona win. I agree with thirtyplus that Carona is still the Teflon Sheriff
Why does all this crap end up in court anyway?
“Bringing the Los Angeles County victim lifestyle to Orange County” vote Appointed Sheriff Sandra Hutchens for OC Sheriff in 2010.
“Because only Cops and Criminals should be allowed to protect themselves with a gun” Appointed Sheriff Sandra Hutchens for OC Sheriff in 2010.
“Because five Orange County Board of Supervisors Can’t be wrong” Vote Appointed Sheriff Sandra Hutchens for OC Sheriff in 2010.
“Mike Carona Says, @#$!$ Bill Hunt” Vote Appointed Sheriff Sandra Hutchens for OC Sheriff in 2010.
OCSD goes on blowing taxpayers money on this case? Shame on them. Are these the kind of cases Hunt will bring to court if he gets elected? Will he feel ok with one of his staff throwing him under the bus? If jerked my boss he’d ask if I had turned in my termemation papers too. Real world if so different Mr. Hunt. Now what??
Even after he is convicted of a felony, the corruption continues to go unchecked. Another judge in has pocket.
DISGUSTING. Not so much that Bill lost, but it’s nauseating that carona slid again. Now he’ll disappear while his slick appeak goes on. Any bets that his criminal conviction will be overturned???
The 9th Circuit is hearing it, of course it will be.
Lets send a message to all cops. If you speak up against a corrupt boss your rights are not protected. You can be fired or demoted and there is no constitution. I AM THE MAN!
Do hope God steps in soon to seal Mr. Carona’s fate…
Don’t complain you peon citizens!!! If you were in the “club” like crook Carona is you’d get a pass too. You just failed to make the cut. Mike the Crook had the connections to sneak in. Free legal counsel that would have cost you a million dollar. Mikey gets it for FREE, compliments of his cronies!!! Mikey is convicted yet is allowed to walk the streets for years while his conviction is appealed. If that were YOU the state would have to pipe sunlight to your cell!!! And watch the conviction get overturned IN THE END because Mikey’s rights were violated!!! HAH! Poor baby!!! This is 2009, folks. We are living in a whole new world play by a completely different set of rules.
BOTTOM LINE: IT’S A BIG CLUB. AND YOU AIN’T IN IT!!!!!
This is a bad, bad decision! Voting and running for office are the primary definitions of self government! When a citizen sees a problem it is his duty to try to solve it. Bill Hunt did his duty. Employees in a secretive organization are one of the only ways to get the problems to see the light of day.
This judge needs to go.
If Hunt were “emotionally downtrodden, suffering from depression and anxiety” before the trial, he’s probably now locked in a straight jacket in a rubber room so he won’t be a danger to himself. The judge throwing out his case may put him on suicide watch. Uh…Hunt for Sheriff 2010?…uh yeah right…
Another astute observer - NOT! The guy was demoted from Lt. to Deputy because he ran against his boss for an elected office. Therer are serious consequences to that action, including retirement benfits, reputation, and lets not foget the fact that it was Hunt’s careeer. Obviously, you have a meaningless job, otherwise you would understand why someone who just had their career wiped out by a criminal jacka$$ might be upset, anxious and depressed.
Hunt, the best thing you can do is take your Sheriffs Golden Parachute Pension & quietly leave FOREVER.
The case should have been thrown out…. but the Judge errored in her ruling to grant immunity….. wrong to strip a person of their rights under the Constitution.
Orange County does not need people like Mike Corona or Bill Hunt …. come on they can do better.
Elect Brent Guidice (now a Lieutenant with OC Sherrifs Dept) …. this is the kind of person they need to clean up the Department.
Is that the same Brent Guidice, that got booted from the Professional Standards Division, for sexual hasassment? (screwing around with staff employees) I assume your post was a joke.
Brent Guidice’s ex wife is also a Lt. She got arrested for driving drunk with a department vehicle, in Irvine. Both of these twits climbed the department ladder, not by their qualifications but their loyalty to Carona. They should both be fired.
You are joking, right? Guidice just got booted from the Professional standards Division, for sexual hasassment.
I have no sympathy for scumbag Corona but Billy deserves nothing from the taxpayers. Just like Mike’s buddy George, Bill Hunt was looking for a payday from the little people.
Bill Hunt is nothing but a charlatan, prancing around like the “Pied Piper” as his cult followers rally around this government munching clown.
Public employee personnal are shameless boot licking sycophants. Voltaire spoke about them when he said: “Those that can make you believe absurdites, can make you commit atrocities.”
Bow down to the great Bill Hunt you mindless drones. I believe the stupidity of public union workers could not have been exposed any better than with this story. Everyone of them jumping up and down hoping they will be next in line for “Let’s be a Millionaire” at hte taxpayers expense. You are all a bunch of digusting thieves with badges.
I agree, Donk. But next to Corona the crook Billy boy looks like Little Lord Fauntleroy. Who we really need as sheriff is a businessman who is willing to step on toes and bust the union. Someone who examines the books and weeds out all the corruption and waste. Someone who values the people of Orange County over the troops for once. The taxpayers - the ones who put food on their table. But getting the OCSD out of the club member’s control and putting it under the control of a fiscally reponsible and ethical leader is pretty much a pipe dream at this point. I hate to say it, Donk, but expect more of the same. The more things change the more they remain the same. Especially with shysters in charge.
‘People never lie so much as after a Hunt, during a war or before an election.’ - Otto von Bismarck
This is just the beginning for Hunt’s problems. Once more candidates start popping up and the vetting process begins, others will soon take his place. He’s the number one candidate right now running against the appointed-Sheriff. But he’s the only one, so being number one doesn’t count.
Carona’s case will be dismissed once it is heard in the 9th circuit. The federal prosecutors violated his rights since he was being represented by an attorney when they sent that creep Haidl to talk to him. (He still did what he did, but will let off because of a technicality).
It’s too bad that the OC Register still refuses to report about appointed-Sheriff Hutchens giving pay raises to almost every member of her executive staff (LTs. to Undersheriff) while hundreds of county workers were being laid off. Then to lie to the people and say they will taking pay cuts. What a disgrace she is. I think she is even worse than the things that Carona “did”/
http://www.redcounty.com/sheriff-hutchens-gave-pay-raises-command-staff-while-county-stared-cutbacks
Is there no oversite regarding raises?
5% cut is showboating, it means nothing.
Hey Hunt gruppies, read it and weap!!!!!!!!
He chose to quit rather than take the demotion, he is a quitter.
We don’t need someone who when the going gets tough quits.
Hunt for sheriff in 2010, I think not.
It was a tactical retreat. LOL
what are gruppies? Is that like puppies or do u mean groupies and don’t know how to spell?
Appeal
Hunt should appeal.
unfortunately, the Judge is required to follow the law.
No, they interpret the law. Not the same as following the law.
Brent Guidice? A carona cronie, are you drinking your bath water? Oh, and donkey your moniker says it all.
wow. Carona still has some juice with the judges. I guess working the OC courts for 20+ years has garnered him some favor with the judges. Let’s see, first is not in prison while appealing his federal conviction, then he get’s Hunt’s case against him thrown out. How many other convicted felons have u heard of that are allowed to stay out of prison while they appeal their conviction???
When is Carona going to prison? What kind of example is he setting for all others convicted of a felony offense? We will have more scum on the street endangering the public.
This case settled out the way anyone with half a degree of understanding knew it would. If Bill has simply campaigned upon his ideas for improvement and changes to benefit the public and our people he would have been OK. Unfortunately he was getting very bad advice from people whose positions were from anger, frustration and inability to control the system and all they wanted to see was revenge. Bill then ran with it calling the sitting sheriff names, placing the cause of every “scandal” at Carona’s feet and blaming Carona for the interference by the Board of Supervisors and doing everything possible to affect the way employees viewed policy and the department’s leadership position. He wanted people to believe that Carona was crumbling in the background and failed. Bill did not have the smartest advisors.
Instead of looking like a dark horse candidate from outside the system looking to make positive change, Hunt instead became just another nattering nabob of negativity and name calling that diminished his worth and effectiveness in the eyes of the public.
Bill, your folly in running against Sheriff Hutchens is another lesson in futility that will cost tens of thousands of dollars only to become a lost cause. Bill, you have no backing in the county’s political machine, no real money to create a following other than those who at the time were voting “ANYONE BUT CARONA” and you are essentially a pseudo-politico has-been. Bill, think of the bigger picture here. Your wife and children will be the ones making the greatest sacrifices because you cannot afford to take a salary draw from your campaign funds that wil never even come close to political matching funds and access to the media. If you had at least sucked up the hit to Stanton and outlasted Carona, you’d still have a job, be on the inside and have your friends in politically precient places within the department who wold have sacrificed their own moral dignity and helped you climb up the ladder because they felt sorry for you.
Bill, every day I sit in briefing and listen to the majority of people in the room laugh at you and say unflattering things because everyone always knew you were a fast-track golden boy who had it all and got everything you wanted over others who actually deserved it. In south there is only one lieutenant who anything positive to about you. Other than the small group of former SWAT guy investigators, I have never heard anyone say anything in your favor. When you demanded in your lawsuit to be reinstated as chief in San Clemnte you REALLY damaged yourself. Lt. D’Auria is more in touch with our line and got rid of problem sergeants who you lacked the courage to transfer out because they were in your corner. Every day I push my hack out the gate and go 10-8, I thank God circumstances are what they are. No stress. Real friendships among the line and investigators for a change and there is no stress because you are not in a position to playe the deputies and supervisors against each other. Bill, I have always liked you as a work acquaintance but no matted how hard I and many others tried you never welcomed us into your circle of friends because we refused to be your puppets. You are the classic fair-weather friend and a Jim Jones type of leader.
Bill, your campaign slogan is as worn and currently irrelevant as it is lame. Integrity and professionalism has already been restored to our department. Mike Carona loved the department enough to resign rather than create a fiasco more embarrassing that it already was under his command. Sheriff Hutchens has weeded out all the problem children ( but should have retained Christine Murray because unlike that senile old bastard Eason, she has her sh– together and actually backed the line) and except for the usual political suspects doing your bidding, no one questions our integrity at all. While the Sheriff is accountable for all our actions, she is not absolutely responsible for the supervisory failures that permit young dopey deputies to do stupid things and get us in the newspaper. Unlike a buddy system which you would perpetuate, anyone who breaches policy so badly that it makes the newspaper should be fired and forced to fight for their jobs thereby having a direct effect upon future behavior!
Bill, just do the right thing and silently slip away into history and allow your former reputation to carry your memory among deputies into the future. When you lose you will be nothing more than another loser who just did not get it. Bill, a man’s got to know his limitations! The only person who has a hair of a chance of beating Sheriff Hutchens would be Chief Ralph Martin LASD (who I’m voting for if he does) or a REAL outside chief. Let it go Bill. No one cares about you. We weep for your family and the folly you are trying to force upon them. Get out now Bill!!!!!!!
Good post. However, anyone involved in the Guidice “suicide” cover up, should be fired. I believe that included Murray.
Ron,
Not just that, but his wife or former wife or whoever the heck she is should have been fired for driving her cop car drunk and slamming into an innocent motorist at a stop light. Imagine that. She is a Lt. too! Never lost any rank whatsoever from what I understand. hah. She keeps her job and her $100k plus paycheck! hah. Unbelievable. So they assign her to the jail where she babysits the other drunks! hah. Hilarious. And Hutchens claims Corona neglected to keep a watchful eye over the troops and take proper disciplinary action??? hah. Pot>>>>Kettle.
Great statement. Glad to hear things are getting better for the South County deputies.
Hey J. Blaze, OCObs and countless others, GO SIT AND SPIN ON A THUNDERSTIX!
Fortunately this is one election that has not created polarization amongst the department employees. There might be a smattering of pro-Hunt people, but overall, the vast majority of employees are backing Sheriff Hutchens. It has been hard on her in her first term but she has clearlyshown she backs her operational line over her managers and that breeds intense loyalty. I think theonly positive chance Hunt has at something is going bankrupt and driving his family into the poorhouse. How selfish Bill Hunt. Selfish!!
The judge was obviously afraid to let this case go to a jury. This is what has become of justice in America. A trial by a jury of your peers? Nope. A government official determines wha the jury will hear and then instructs them as to what it should all mean to them. When that doesn’t work, they dismiss the jury and decide the case themselves.
Amazing! Carona is a crook!
Hunt will be Sheriff but this is not right!
What a system huh!
Wow…excellent post “18deputysouth”! Well said. Let’s see if Billy boy can check his ego and do the right thing.
I do, however, agree with “Ron”, Murray definately needed to go. she was hip deep in the Guidice suicide cover-up and a huge Carona clone. the department will be far better without the ethically corrupt Murray…..
Sheriff Hutchens or anyone else from L.A is what O.C.S.D. needs. O.C.S.D. is so far out of touch it’s unbeliveable
ralph, it’s a big club, man.
if you’re in it you skate.
if not, you’re hosed.
those are the secret club rules. it’s the secret that everybody knows but nobody wants to talk about.
barons and kings, sport. barons and kings.
The LAST thing OCSD needs is ANYONE else from LASD. Talk about out of touch!
18DeputySouth - good post, and I’m sure that deputies agree, but the PUBLIC wants a Sheriff who stands up for them and respects OUR rights as well. Hutchens’ lack of respect for the public and her total disregard fro our rights and her own accountability is very LASD, and not right for OC.
I think you will be VERY surprised how the PUBLIC will vote. Sheriff Hutchens is great for OCSD, and the OCSD is lucky to have the LA leadership that is needed.
Ralph, I could not agree more. OCSD neeed an outsider to clean up OCSD. The people that want Hunt back want him back for one reason; to gain favors from him once again. Hutchens will most likely be re-elected sheriff and will continue to clean up that mess at OCSD.
Hunt wil never be the sheriff of the OCSD. He need to just go away.
Finally, a Judge that followed the law and not concerned about what the public would think, unlike Judge Guilford. Maybe Judge Guilford needs to sit in a LA federal courtroom for a “refresher” course on how to follow the law that they were taught in school and not take the bench, blanter on and on, push his published book to make money on it during a ruling. Shameful..All of you bloggers who never went to law school yet feel you know the law and disagree with this ruling, you’re uneducated spewing is what is wrong with this severely uneducated society. The best is yet to come…
What published book?
And what law did he get wrong?
The Convict and the County luck out with an activist judge recomended by Senator Barbara Boxer and appointed by good ol’ boy Bill Clinton.
“Six hundred and forty-four days after she was nominated as a federal district judge, Los Angeles lawyer Margaret M. Morrow is expected to win Senate confirmation today. Democrats hope the legislative sea change on Morrow’s long-pending nomination signals a break in the logjam on President Clinton’s judicial nominees that has caused a vacancy crisis on the federal bench.” - LAT 2/11/98
In case nobody knows what an activist judge is, It is one that follows their own personal beliefs as opposed to black letter law. That probably explains why she wasted the jurrors time and made the decision herself. Probably had a sense that the jurrors were about to nail the convict.
I’m pleased that the long tradition of corruption within the OC Sheriff Dept. (and the county) has been validated. Hopefully, this will provide felon Carona many nights of comfort as he stares at the ceiling of his cell. If OC voters have half a brain (judging from Carona’s relection it is questionable) they will beg Hunt to run and support him as Sheriff.
Who was the lead IA investigator in the Gerald Strenger case? Strenger was the cop who was allowed to keep his gun and badge, and was monitoring his own pedophilia investigation on the confidential DA web site. Andif you recall he offed himself in his when he learned his arrest was imminent. What did Hutchens ever do to that lead investigator?? My guess is nothing. Scott Moxley did a good story on it in the OC Weekly. Pretty amazing stuff. More club members. Must be nice to be totally immune from losing your job or even being disciplined. And wasn’t Hutchens the one who told us that she was going to be the new ‘change agent’ in town??? hah! Sure. Shovel some more of that stuff over in this direction.
Let me see if I understand correctly. A judge preempts a jury trial decision and tosses out a case supported by the First Amendment? The individual wishing to exercise his First Amendment rights must watch the Constitution be trampled on by the very court that should be defending it for citizens. And scum cheers this?
So, today, a few felon supporters will enjoy their 48 hours of Hunt bashing in the sun. But, it will pass. A few misguided will boldly pontificate yet hide their names while exercising their free speech, too. That very speech that is free for all is exactly what Bill Hunt did in 2006 in the face of lawless leadership. Cowards are those unwilling to blow a whistle, rock the boat, or stand up alone against what is wrong.
You that play sad roles in the crumbling mythical Orange County political machine, wake up. You are among the dwindling few needed to turn the lights out as you leave. We are watching and amplifying the old money provided in the past to the likes of Carona. We are also reminding those voters, that by a 1% margin, nearly forced a runoff. Could it be a voting majority knows better this time?
If you took the time to learn the legal aspects of the case, you would know that the law dictates that a policy maker, which the jury identified Bill Hunt as cannot shoot his mouth off about deparmental matters and expect to do it without repurcussions. During the 2006 election Bill made some very derogatory comments about an officer involved shooting and the investigation that followed. A close friend of mine was involved in the incident. Bill wasn’t there, wasn’t privy to the details and trashed some very good people. All for the purpose of getting himself elected. After it was all said and done the deputies were cleared, the investigation proved the incident was handled properly and Bill never apologized.
If he wants to trash Carona, fine he’s a politician and is fair game, but when you are a Chief of Police Services and you attack the good men and women of your own department (under that title) with little to no knowledge of the case and for personal gain, then you should be held accountable.
JDP - What a bunch of garbage. Hunt stood up, Corona covered up and Hutchens is a Coronita. She’s backed by the same political money that Corona was backed by. The same money will be influencing Hutchens positions that influenced Corona’s. Sweet, another Coronita in office. At least Hunt stands up for what right and fights for himself and the department. He was the only person not afraid to standup against Corona. If you remember he called out Coroan back in 1998 in the OC Regsiter for being crooked.
This department doesnt need another Coronita it needs a leader. And Hutchens is not a leader.
JDP is absolutely correct with his comments. Unfortunately Billy’s kool-aid drinkers choose to ignore this…..
Since when in America are we not allowed to speak up against corruption, stand up against the powers and voice our opinion? Biil did that and was demoted because of it. Its wrong any way you look at it.
Nearly every deputy and law enforcement officer I speak to in OC backs Bill.
That in and of itself gives every non-LE citizen a reason to reject Bill Hunt as the new top Sheriff.
JDP, LE officers are always cleared when it comes to shooting citizens.
Your organizations conclusions in no way proves that a shooting is truely justified.
Newsflash: No one gives a rat’s a$$ what you think or write about “Donkey”!
You are so wrong. Your cult has you so isolated you are unable to hear or grasp the changes that are about to fall upon your little world.
If you lived among the unwashed you would understand, no you probably would not.