Gaming the System

Bridgepoint Education, the controversial private schools outfit that’s been up and down on Wall Street, was busy handing out freebies to local politicos last year, annual disclosures show. Chief among the beneficiaries was recently reelected San Diego county supervisor Greg Cox, who got a December Holiday Bowl tailgate party admission worth $100, Holiday Bowl tickets worth $200, and a $98 ticket to a September Chargers game. Bridgepoint gave GOP state senator Joel Anderson $404 worth of “Event Tickets, Food & Beverages” for two occasions in September and December. And the corporation gave Democratic assemblyman Marty Block football tickets worth $146 in September, along with a $200 ticket to the San Diego County Taxpayers Association banquet in May of last year. Other companies also provided entertainment. From Cox Communications, the cable TV giant, Supervisor Cox got $301 in two admissions to Padres opening day. Back on the football front, the San Diego County Credit Union kicked in for an $80 tailgate party at the Poinsettia Bowl, along with a $170 game admission for Cox. The California Dental Association gave a $124 concert ticket to Block.