Jurors in the public corruption trial of former Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona heard testimony today from a sheriff’s deputy who said a higher-up directed him not to give Greg Haidl a citation for possession of marijuana, and ordered him to drive the teen home.
John Roche, a narcotics investigator for the Sheriff’s Department, testified today that he was on patrol the night of Oct. 26, 2003 in San Clemente when he came across Haidl — who was awaiting trial on rape charges — and two other friends skateboarding late at night.
Roche told jurors he searched their car, and found a small amount of the illegal drug. He interviewed Haidl about it. Haidl denied the marijuana belonged to him.
Haidl said, “My name is Greg Haidl, and I’m out on bail,” Roche tesified. He mentioned his father was then Assistant Sheriff Don Haidl, he added.
Jurors watched a tape of the incident. “Look at your eyes - they are all bloodshot and watery,” Roche says. “You have that deer in the headlight look Grergory … I’m asking for the truth …”
“It’s not my marijuana, sir,” Haidl responds.
Roche told jurors he wanted to cite Haidl, but was directed not to cite Haidl or write a report. Sgt. Richard Downing also told him to drive Haidl home, Roche said.
Roche said he wrote a generic log entry about the incident. Later, Roche testified, Lt. Bill Hunt asked him to write a report about the incident — then asked him to amend it.
“He said what I had written was not what he was looking for,” Roche said. “He basically wanted everything left out that had Greg Haidl as the possessor of the marijuana. He told me to point the possession of marijuana towards (another) juvenile.”
“Is this the santized version of the report?” federal proscutor Ken Julian asked.
“It is,” Roche said.
Hunt was later reprimanded for his handling of the incident.
“Did you give Greg Haidl preferential treatment?” Julian also asked.
“In my opinion, yes … he didn’t end up receiving a citation and I ended up driving him home,” Roche replied.
Forgot about the Greg Haidl case? Read a timeline about the case here.
About the case
- Complete coverage
- Live notes from the trial
- Frank Mickadeit’s column on Carona
- Interactive of Mike Carona’s career
What is Greggy boy up to these days?
Man, it is no wonder this kid raped a girl and did whatever he wanted without fear. His dad really let him down. No accountability. This whole group of players are all deserving of some misery. Greg Haidl reminds me of a weasel. Doesn’t he? Look at a pic of him and his two rapist buddies sitting at a table during their trial with their hands clasped and all wearing their nice shirts and ties. It was like dressing 3 piles of dog cr@p. Well I hope all of these guys on the hook are freaking out especially Carona.
Before you all get excited about what this employee or that employee did with little Greggy just remember that there are a multitude of ways to handle most situations that a Deputy encounters in the field. Most of the time there are several LEGAL options on how to handle a situation such as the encounter with these kids, their car and the marijuana that was in it. Consider also that these Deputies are employees that work for bosses who sometimes direct them to handle a situation a certain way. That doesn’t necessarily make it an incorrect way to handle it but it almost always makes it different than what the Deputy would choose. Sometimes it’s all about working for a living, just like in other businesses.
And yes, HBrider is right, the one who let little Greggy down was his dad, he failed his son. He failed to give him the greatest gift that a parent can give - consequences for bad behavior. OCJ is full of people who suffered the lack of good parents. Scum begets scum.
I noticed tbe blog author did not bother to mention that Roche stated under oath that Carona had nothing to do with the kid getting off. Seems she doesn’t want too much of the truth getting out.
Lt. Bill Hun just got away with a reprimand?!! He should go to jail
for instructing the amendment of police records!!
“And yes, HBrider is right, the one who let little Greggy down was his dad, he failed his son. He failed to give him the greatest gift that a parent can give - consequences for bad behavior. OCJ is full of people who suffered the lack of good parents. Scum begets scum.”
Thank you, Glad To Be Retired from OCSD, for bring this very valuable point across. Yes, you are right. Please parents, pay attention.
I grew up across the street from John, although I haven’t seen him in years. John, I’m happy to see that you made it out of that situation and it didn’t effect your career. You went up against some very powerful and corrupt people and made it out.
Something we should all be remembering, Bill Hunt may soon try to become Sheriff again! We need to remember he didnt have the guts to stand up and do what was right on this incident!
What a load of S$%#. Roche falsified his log entry and refused to cite the person who admitted it was their Marijuana. Hunt ordered Roche to write a crime report. Hunt read the first report Roche wrote and told him to rewrite it to reflect what actually happened! The Marijuana was in a car that belonged to Haidl’s friend and Haidl’s friend told Deputy Roche it was his Marijuana!!
I can’t believe how badly this incident has been twisted. Carona was looking for any ammunition to use against his political rival and used this incident to try and discredit Hunt with a reprimand.
Anotherlook should be looking some where else. Carona fired Hunt for running against him and telling the public what a dirt bag he was. He did stand up for what he though was right. Get a grip buddy
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH! It all comes down to NEPOTISM, FAVORITISM and the good old boy network that Carona promised would be non-existent in a talk he gave the troops immediately after his fist election. Politics is as politics does Just glad I’m the hell out of there!!
Greegy boy just needs to wait around and be the useless slug he is and inherit all his dad’s millions….must be tough….
as my dad always said “follow an ugly kid home……you’re gonna find ugly parents”
Bill Hunt sure enjoyed pointing the finger at Carona and now it’s coming to bite him in the butt. I guess you weren’t so clean and innocent, Lt. Hunt. It looks to me like Hunt was after some of the Haidl money too. Well, it looks like Carona is going to have the final laugh on Hunt. May be they can share a cell and be buddies.
t rack should be next.. f in dbag
Tortuga what planet are are you from. Hunt was fired for telling the world what a d#$% head Carona is. Please if don’t know the facts don’t comment here.
you don’t have to know too much to know a slime ball. Patrol Deputy; I thought this country had freedom of speech or does it only apply to people with a badge?