Former College Chancellor Sentenced To Jail In SMC

REDWOOD CITY, CA — The former San Mateo County Community College District Chancellor was sentenced Friday to eight months in county jail after being convicted earlier this year of tax fraud and perjury.

Ronald Galatolo was also sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service. He was taken into custody following the hearing.

San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Leland Davis III criticized Galatolo's lack of remorse, saying a letter he submitted to the court attempted to minimize his conduct rather than accept responsibility, according to The Mercury News.

"I have to say, sir, there's no good feeling behind your words," Davis tol Galatolo, The Mercury News reported. "I hope, sir, that through the term of your probation you'll be able to fully acknowledge your wrongdoing and sincerely feel remorse for what you've done."

A jury in January found Galatolo guilty of four felony counts of filing false tax returns and four felony counts of perjury after prosecutors accused him of failing to report gifts, filing false tax returns and misrepresenting vehicle purchase prices on DMV documents.

Following the sentencing, San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe told The Mercury News the punishment was appropriate.

Galatolo served as chancellor of the San Mateo County Community College District from 2001 until 2019 before serving two years as chancellor emeritus.

The investigation that led to his conviction began with a whistleblower complaint filed in 2019.