The Register needs your help – Who are the most “notorious” OC officials in history?

In honor of the arrest of Eight Bell Crooks, our sclerotic ultra-conservative monopoly daily wants to get all interactive with you today!  Journalist Brian Martinez has put up a real interesting rogue’s gallery of our lovely county’s “most notorious” Orange County officials going back to the 70s, and he’s soliciting input for who else should be there.  I don’t know about the choice of the word “notorious,” I think what he means is “most corrupt and also got caught and punished.”  But here’s what he’s got so far:

  • Supe Robert Battin, 1975
  • Supe Ralph Diedrich, 1977 “larger than life”
  • Supe Philip Anthony, 1977
  • Congressman Richard Hanna, 1977
  • Congressman Andrew Hinshaw, 1977 (what a year! I was busy in high school)
  • Newport-Mesa USD “trustee” Stephen Wagner, 1992
  • Supe Don Roth, 1993
  • Brea Mayor Ron Isles, 1992
  • Treasurer Robert Citron, 1995
  • HB Mayor Pam Houchen, 2005 (what happened to our Dave Garofalo?)
  • Ass. Sheriff George Jaramillo, 2009
  • Sheriff CARONA, 2009
  • Assemblyman Mike “Drippy” Duvall, 2009

So help a guy out, we know this is just scratching the surface.  Let’s help Brian get to 50 or 60, OJ community!  Click here if you have any suggestions for him.


About Vern Nelson

Greatest pianist/composer in Orange County, and official political troubadour of Anaheim and most other OC towns. Regularly makes solo performances, sometimes with his savage-jazz band The Vern Nelson Problem. Reach at vernpnelson@gmail.com, or 714-235-VERN.