Keep Bailing

Oh, the ever weaving web of criminal ways in the jail system. Even honest bail bondsmen, who help people get out of jail and provide a necessary public service can’t seem to escape it. 

It seems there are inmates behind bars in Orange County, aptly called “shot callers.” These people are known associates of criminal gangs who are allegedly allowed by OC jail guards to run certain areas of the jail. They believed by some to be running an elaborate bail bonds scheme. 

Reportedly, these “shot callers,” tell defendants to go see certain ‘preferred’ bail bondsman for their bond. Once these defendants have been bailed out, the “shot callers” are in-turn, given ‘kickbacks;’ a percentage of the bail money from certain dishonest bail bondsmen.

However, there are three Orange County bail agencies who are not taking this illegal practice lightly. Don Mehr, Bob Drake and Robert Miller have filed a a$100 million dollar federal racketeering lawsuit against appointed Orange County’s Sheriff  Sandra Hutchens and the County of Orange. “The jails are being run by criminal gangs… They are financing criminal gang activity in the jails. It’s amazing,” stated the attorney for the  three bondsmen.

This intricate bail scheme is also known as “capping,” which came to the forefront during former Sheriff Mike Carona’s administration. Seems, that he too was convicted in Federal court for witness tampering.

Under violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, (RICO) the three bail bondsmen are suing for damages which represent any past, present or future losses. There is also a caveat in the Federal racketeering statues which allow damages to be raised as much at $300 million.  These serious allegations and high dollar amounts should make the Orange County District Attorney’s office stand up and pay close attention.