Former Orange County Assistant Sheriff George Jaramillo was convicted of two felony counts -- perjury and misappropriation of public funds. Jaramillo is the highest ranking law enforcement official in Orange Countys history to be convicted of any felony, including political corruption.
Jaramillo was placed on three years of supervised probation. He served one year of custody in jail and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,000 among other probation terms. Jaramillo will be barred from holding public office for the rest of his life. Jaramillo's felony convictions were reported to the State Bar and is currently not eligible to practice law.
Jaramillo lied under oath to the Orange County Grand Jury about getting paid to work for CHG Safety Technology, Inc., knowing such information was false. Jaramillo misappropriated public funds for personal use by: 1) directing his on-duty subordinates to research and visit convalescent living facilities for his mother; 2) misusing Sheriffs equipment (including a helicopter) and on-duty subordinates to facilitate his personal travel; 3) directing his on-duty subordinates to assist him at the graduation ceremony of a family member; and 4) directing his on-duty subordinates to have his personal photographs developed. Jaramillo used his position of Assistant Sheriff and the respect that position carries with it to benefit personally.
