Ron Galatolo, the former chancellor of the San Mateo County Community College District has been sentenced to 8 months in jail by Judge Leland Davis.
Galatolo, 62, of Menlo Park, was found guilty of eight felonies on Jan. 20, including four counts each of tax evasion and perjury. The jury was deadlocked 9-3 and 10-2 for guilty on the remaining charges, which included misuse of public funds, perjury and conflicts of interest.
Galatolo faced up to 10 years in prison. The District Attorney’s office was arguing for prison. Galatolo’s attorney, Chuck Smith, argued for probation. As part of his sentence, Galatolo also got two years of probation and 100 hours of community service.
District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe had opted not to retry the deadlocked charges, citing the high cost to taxpayers for another trial.
Galatolo was charged with taking bribes from contractors, tax fraud, misappropriation of public funds, conflict of interest, and embezzlement over a 10-year period while he was chancellor. Galatolo served as chancellor from 2001 until 2019, overseeing the three-school district comprising Canada in Redwood City, College of San Mateo, and Skyline in San Bruno.
During his time as chancellor, voters approved bond measures totaling nearly $1 billion. The bond measures were intended to fund new construction and renovations to existing buildings. The DA accused Galatolo of taking bribes from the contractors on those projects.
The Post’s Braden Cartwright is reporting from the courtroom, this post will be updated with more information.
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