Funeral services were pending Wednesday for former Orange County Assistant Sheriff Don Haidl, who cooperated with federal authorities and helped ensure the eventual conviction of then-Sheriff Mike Carona.
Haidl, 61, died last night of natural causes at Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, according to Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino.
Haidl was a wealthy businessman who earned most of his money from his Nationwide Auction Systems, which he later sold, along with real estate and other interests. He gave Carona hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gifts and in return was appointed assistant sheriff, though he lacked any real
law enforcement experience.
He eventually cooperated with federal authorities in their corruption probe of Carona, and he wore a wire during three meetings with the sheriff. Based largely on a conversation that Haidl secretly recorded when the two met in a Newport Beach restaurant Aug. 13, 2007, Carona was convicted of witness
tampering and eventually sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison. Carona appealed, but his conviction was upheld, and he began serving his prison term in January 2011.
In 2010, Haidl was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service for filing a false 2002 tax form. He admitted he took money from various trusts and partnerships to pay for his son Greg's defense on sexual assault charges but did not claim the $534,374 as adjusted gross income.
Greg Haidl was convicted for taking part in the gang rape of an unconscious 17-year-old girl. He served a prison term and was released.
In a statement to the Orange County Register, Haidl's family said, "He died as he lived, surrounded by the people he loved. He will be greatly missed by all who were privileged to know him.''
-- City News Service
One of Carona's gang members. What good are his multi-millions net worth and his latest gadgets and toys worth to him now? May God have mercy on your soul.
RIP Mr. Hiadl
Answer that, Tony.
Do you think Corona is crying in his prison cell tonight???
When we have facts I'll pass all the judgment I want. And like I told you before ..... if I didn't like somebody alive I'm sure not going to be a phony and claim I respect them after they're dead. So I don't buy into your phony, plastic philosophy, sir. if you want to live your life in that way, knock yourself out. But don't expect the rest of us to follow suit. Got it?
( which, in the Hiadl case, it did). Lastly, for simple-minded-people, like YOU, I will state the obvious, I believe ALL who break the law should be punished according to our laws, regardless of what that punishment may be. Let it go now, "justus". TAKE A DEEP BREATH! Relax. Or, go live your apparent perfect, mistake-free life, but understand this, (if you are capable): judge not, lest ye be judged. Merry CHRISTmas, "justus".
These all went unreported because the sheriff deputies at that time would have to call Carona and they were told just to take the kid home because his Dad was a big endorser to Mike Carona. Mike Carona was doing Father Haidl a favor. Mr. Haidl never was a father to that little bastard kid, he just fueled more evil in him. I hope Greg Haidl takes a long walk off a short pier.
Were any of you present during any of the trial proceedings?...No Did any of you know the Haidls before, during &/ after the any of the trials?...No Don was the kindest, most generous, thoughtful, & hilarious man I had the privilege of calling my friend. Don't fault a Man that came from nothing, pursued the American Dream, & took care of his family & those closest to him.