Bill Hunt Wins Lawsuit

On Dec. 7, Judge David McEachen ruled that former Sheriff’s Department employee Bill Hunt shall be reinstated to his former rank and pay after he was demoted following the 2006 election. McEachen, an OC Superior Court judge, ruled that then-Sheriff Mike Carona used intimidation and retaliation against Hunt for running against him as Sheriff in 2006. Carona demoted Hunt from San Clemente chief to patrol duty in Stanton. Hunt retired rather than take the demotion.

The ruling gives Hunt full back wages and benefits at $280,619, raises for two years, a $50,000 award in penalties, plus attorney fees.

Is this matter finished? An OC watchdog replied to this blog: “The OC Supervisors are now considering their options. They need to accept the judge’s decision and call it a day. Orange County taxpayers have already paid more than $2 million with the Board of Supervisors trying to defend Carona’s actions. What Carona did was wrong, and he got away with it for years because the Board of Supervisors allowed it.”