Haidl avoids jail time

Newport Beach millionaire Don Haidl, the former assistant sheriff who helped authorities take down former Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona last year, will avoid jail time but will have to do a “heavy dose” of community service along with paying a fine for lying on his 2002 taxes, a federal judge said Monday.

Federal Judge Andrew J. Guilford delayed Haidl’s sentencing after telling the U.S. attorney’s office that he wasn’t satisfied with Haidl just paying a fine and getting probation.

Haidl, who was named an assistant sheriff by Carona, helped federal authorities reveal corruption by Carona and ex-Assistant Sheriff George Jaramillo, and testified to it on the witness stand. For his cooperation, prosecutors recommended that Haidl be sentenced to probation and pay a $40,000 fine.

Guilford said that wasn’t enough.

Haidl, the judge said, will have to do community service along with paying the fine and getting probation.

“There’s something to be said for white-collar defendants understating the plights and ills of our society,” Guilford said. “I don’t want this to be an easy way out.”

Byrne had suggested Haidl’s community service tie in his financial prowess, but the judge opted for something more “humbling.”

Guilford said he was impressed with the letters — including letters by two of Haidl’s ex-wives — and was convinced Haidl was a good man. His sentence, though, has to fall in line with what he would give any other defendant, be it a blue-collar or white-collar criminal, he told Haidl.

“Lying on your taxes is a serious offense,” Guilford said. “Had you not cooperated so fully and thoroughly, you would be doing jail time.”

Haidl took the opportunity to take responsibility for his actions and showed remorse Monday.

“I apologize to the court, I apologize to the public, and I apologize to my family,” Haidl said, standing in front of the judge wearing a light gray suit with his hands folded in front of him.

Federal prosecutor Brett Sagel assured the judge that Haidl would never commit another crime.

Haidl’s sentencing was delayed until March 15, giving the federal probation time to draw up different community service options for him.