​Former SMC College Chancellor Found Guilty Of Tax Evasion And Perjury: Prosecutors

Former San Mateo County Community College District Chancellor has been found guilty of tax evasion and perjury at the San Mateo Superior Court, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Ronald Dario Galatolo, 62, the former chancellor of the district from 2001 to 2021, faces over 20 felony counts. The charges claim he secretly accepted bribes from contractors in return for allowing them to conduct construction projects within the district, among other illicit acts. Galatolo has entered a not-guilty plea and was released on $150,000 bail pending his trial.

The San Mateo County jury did not convict Galatolo of embezzlement, misappropriation and conflict-of-interest charges.

Galatolo is accused of two main violations on his Form 700: failing to list numerous gifts and underreporting the cost of luxury vehicles. The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office claims that the unlisted gifts included sporting event tickets and international trips, all received from contractors he favored. Additionally, he is charged with not accurately reporting the purchase price of high-end and classic cars bought during his time as chancellor.

Following a whistleblower alert in August 2019 regarding public corruption within the San Mateo County Community College District's high-ranking leadership, Galatolo resigned, subsequently holding the title of chancellor emeritus from 2019 to 2021. The district ultimately fired him in 2021, and in April 2022, he was arrested at SFO airport upon returning from an international trip.

Former Vice Chancellor of Facilities Jose Nuñez, was charged in December 2021 with multiple felony counts for using school funds for political purposes. Nuñez pleaded guilty in 2022 to two felony counts related to the misuse of school funds for political activities and is expected to testify in the Galatolo trial.