9th Circuit upholds ex-Calif. sheriff’s conviction

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — A former Orange County lawman once dubbed “America’s Sheriff” is one step closer to prison after an appeals court upheld his conviction for witness tampering.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected former Sheriff Michael Carona’s appeal Thursday.

The high-profile, three-term lawman was convicted of witness tampering in 2009 and sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison. He has been allowed to remain out of custody while his appeal was pending.

Carona’s lawyers argued prosecutors broke an ethical rule when they arranged for an ex-assistant sheriff to secretly record a 2007 conversation despite knowing Carona had retained a defense attorney.

But a federal attorney argued the government used “permissible decoys.”

Carona was acquitted of conspiracy and other charges in a sweeping public corruption case.

His attorney Brian Sun didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.