SANTA ANA, Calif. — A judge has ruled that the mistress of a former Southern California sheriff will be tried separately for an alleged scheme to exploit his power of office for money.

U.S. District Judge Andrew Guilford declared a mistrial for Debra Hoffman on Tuesday. He says she will no longer be tried with former Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona, who was indicted last year on public corruption charges.

Prosecutors allege that Carona, Hoffman, Carona's wife and a close group of friends accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes and kickbacks over several years.

Hoffman has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, mail fraud and bankruptcy fraud charges.