BY NORAH SHEPPARD-HUTCHINS
Daily Post Staff Writer
Two men accused of participating in a $1.4 million kickback scheme involving San Mateo County Event Center construction projects have been released from jail after posting bail, a prosecutor said today (Oct. 19).
Michael McLennan, 55, of Vacaville, posted a bail bond yesterday, according to court records. James Mercurio, 66, of Los Altos, posted a bail bond on Tuesday (Oct. 13), District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said. Mercurio’s bail was set at $750,000. McLennan’s bail was reduced to $200,000 on Friday, Wagstaffe said.
Mercurio was an executive with the 49ers for about 30 years before working as a construction project manager for the event center from October 2024 to March 2026. During that time, Mercurio allegedly directed contracts to his childhood friend, McLennan, who then gave a portion of contract money to him, according to Wagstaffe.
Wagstaffe said the contracts included $1 million in funding from county tax dollars. Both men are charged with 20 counts each of commercial burglary.
“If those allegations are true, people hired by the Event Center took advantage of the public’s trust and resources. The Event Center is important to our community, we deserve answers, and I will make sure county residents receive them,” San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Noelia Corzo said in a statement yesterday.
An investigation into the two began about six months ago when subcontractors went to the County Attorney’s Office after McLennan allegedly failed to pay them. The county attorney reviewed a performance bond, which guarantees that a contractor will finish the job according to the contract’s terms. However, Wagstaffe said McLennan forged the bond, which was found to be fake. Both pleaded innocent to all charges.
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