Disgraced ex-Orange County sheriff convicted of witness tampering got $215,000 in ‘09 pension

Disgraced ex-OC sheriff got $215,000 pension

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Orange County pension records show that former sheriff and convicted felon Michael Carona received about $215,000 in retirement checks last year.

Carona was one of 400 former county employees who received more than $100,000 in pension payments in 2009.

The retirement system is facing a $3.7 billion unfunded liability.

The Orange County Employees Retirement System released the list after the California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility filed a lawsuit. The retirement agency claimed releasing the list would compromise pensioner privacy.

Carona was convicted last year of witness tampering but he is free on bail pending appeal.

Another pensioner listed was former treasurer-tax collector Robert Citron, whose investments led Orange County into bankruptcy in 1994. He collected about $142,000 last year.

Information from: Los Angeles Times, www.latimes.com