I question Judge Espana's weak sentence and the 'bargaining' down to misdemeanor the felonies. By her own admission his transgressions 'lasted a number of years' yet he is serving mere hours of trash pick up.

What message has this Judge sent to the students of Southwestern and to the community at large?

One can only imagine the difference IF the LARGEST CORRUPTION CASE IN SAN DIEGO HISTORY would have been heard downtown.

I would like to publicly THANK Bonnie Dumanis, Leon Schorr, Vincent Giaime and all other staff members who attempted to bring justice to the taxpayers of the South Bay. THEY and the FBI saw the 'alleged' corruption as a cancerous affliction - unlike Judge Espanaa who appears to have seen the case as a mere nuisance vs. a major crime.

Of course he has been volunteering since his indictment, what do you think he paid all that money to his lawyer for - case preparation. 'Now John, we want to make you out to be a choir boy, volunteer, I don't care where, it will look good to the judge' - by golly he hit that nail on the head!!!!!

When you do the crime you had better be prepared to do the time - that is unless you appear before this Judge!

I suppose someone should take a long look at the judge's community ties, campaign contributions, etc. Oh, wait, Hear no evil, See no evil and Sweep the corruption under the carpet. No problem, it's business as usual in Chula Vista.

This is evidently not the first time that Southwestern College administrators have been charged for criminal behavior related to financing, advertising and contract rigging on Public Bonds. Wilson was at the campus during the entire Prop AA legal case (2001-2006) and from what I understand from a faculty at the college, Wilson himself was required to give a deposition to the FEDS in that criminal case, a case against the then President Zasueta and some corrupt political consultant--Reemer. Wilson was also the college's point man and worked directly with the construction company (Maas) hired to be the project manager of the Prop AA construction projects. And yet Wilson, and this Judge can act as though he had no clue, he just made an error in judgement, he did not understand what a conflict of interest was in these matters. BS! Well, it looks like there is another opportunity to stand up and speak out on these weak charges and an even weaker judge. January 30th is Alioto's turn and hopefully the courtroom will be packed and the judge and court should be inundated with letters that demand jail time and no reduction in charges. That college did suffer our community suffered. They need to pay!

"In mitigation, however, España suggested that Wilson did not set out to destroy the college and that he had worked for the college for 30 years. Further, she argued that Wilson might not have received adequate instruction in filling out his 700 form (statement of economic interests)."

This is so totally unbelievable; a criminal case Judge accepting "ignorance of responsibility" as a defense for committing a felony.

"He was accused, for instance, of taking tickets to a San Diego Chargers game against the Kansas City Chiefs and a series of meals with tabs as high as $800 from a contractor whose company he later recommended for a $2.7 million contract." (SDUT)

The instruction on the Form 700 are as clear, concise, and understandable as is possible. How the Judge can come to that conclusion after all the individual incidents that led to John Wilson being charged with all those crimes is totally unbelievable.

Judge España has singlehandedly undone years of hard work by the prosecutor's office and the public in turning this very serious breach of "public trust" into a joke. She has set into place the very defense the rest of the perps can now freely use to absolve their guilt as well. How she can not dismiss charges against any other who are being charged with failing to comply on their 700 Forms is beyond me. Afterall, if they were too hard for John Wilson to understand, they are obviously too hard for everyone else.

"España concurred with the argument that Wilson’s attorney proffered: “It was a huge error in judgement,” she said, “that lasted a number of years.”

No Judge España, it was criminal behavior “that lasted a number of years.”

Yes,Mr. Brickley, indeed it was it was criminal behavior. So sad that her honor looks the other way in order to avoid a labor-intensive trial that this perp, and others deserve. This is all about avoiding the extra work for the judge that bringing the criminals to trial where they would surely have had to face their community peers.

John Wilson had a high administrative position, one that commanded the highest of ethics. Instead, his performance was of the lowest kind, taking all he could get. He owed everything to Southwestern College and yet gave it nothing but stealing whatever he could get. Dr. Kirkwood did her best to argue for the community..it was too bad Johnny Wilson does not understand what that is all about. Judge Espana may 'love' the college, but what about the taxpayers who have funded Wilson's escapades? "Huge error in judgment?" ...no your honor, a huge ripoff of the community's taxpaying public.
Judge Espana, we understand your aversion to having to hold the trials that the public deserves in these serious matters of criminal taking of the public's money. We do not applaud your decision and wish you would take more responsibility in your role as a judge.

Perhaps Judge Espana is really communicating to the public that she does not understand what judgeship is as well as what judgment is...perhaps it has never been completely explained to her?

Or--perhaps she wants to go lightly on all these people, as she thinks that is the nice thing to do?

Or perhaps someone DID explain something to her, i.e. that going lightly on these people would pay off down the line?

Choose your favorite. None of the above possibilities demonstrate much skill, knowledge or ethics on the part of the judge. What a shame for her and what a shame for our community. And especially, what a shame for all the school districts that have these blood suckers working for themselves as they pretend to be working for the students and the betterment of society.

Interesting when you compare the Reader reporting of the hearing and the UT's. Greg Moran wrote an article that made no mention of the voiced opposition by the Southwestern College faculty member, and he just seem to cut and paste the same old tired frame that they have used the past two years. Funny, the UT these past two years kept claiming that the DA began the investigation because of the UT reportage. Well, a read of this article sure pokes big holes in that assertion. I guess their "branding" gets in the way of their truth. And isn't Greg Moran, brother to Chris Moran, who was the Journalist for the UT that needed to be "relocated" from South County coverage during the Prop AA case? It appeared that he was replaced because he had such a "close" relationship with Zasueta, the college president that was brought up on charges for misuse of District funds during the Prop AA campaign. This town, really. Keep on reporting the truth Ms. Luzzaro, somebody has got to do it.

Well, it has become evident that we have a whole bunch of (Insert your favorite group) Yuppies, Gen X, Me generation, who have been let off the hook for ETHICS.... Gee Officer I did not know I have to stop at a red light.

I guess we could blame the lack of ethics on education, church scandals, poor parenting, professional politicians, but the number one thing is the lack of empathy on the part of the wrong doers, the lack of pride in their contribution to society as a whole and finally a public that does not care enough to see proper punishment/retribution for these seemingly small "disgressions" in judgement.

When the accused nor the judge see the big picture of a little bit here and a little bit there, the expectations of our officials gets eroded to the point it must be OK. Also they, politicians/judges/public officials forget that if they each take a little it adds up to a bunch.

We have officials like Mr. Wilson, who through a career at a public institution was paid in the neighborhood of $3,000,000 salary (30 yrs, average $100,000, of our tax money), in charge of multiple million dollar projects and he cops a plea that he did not know how to fill out a 700 form. What about conflict of interest forms most of us have had to sign for years in Corporate America?

This whole saga is just the tip of the iceburg of corruption, under the table dealings and good-old-boy networking rife in San Diego County, especially here in the southern part of the county. We have been given a dis-service by the lack of proper review of these cases and judgements by judge Espana. We have been given a dis-service by our public employees and we have been given a Dis-service by our elected officials for their lack of commitment to the public and their what's in it for me attitudes.

ETHICS, should not be a fairy tale, it should be the foundation of all our lives and institutions. BBQ

How does one hold a judge accountable? To whom does she report?
Espana ran unopposed for her current position.

This certainly answered the questions and comments about The DA and Dumanis. This leniency to all these people belongs in Espana's court so to speak. I guess the community's wasted monies and voices for over four years have fallen on deaf ears. The issues are not about 700 forms it's about selfish self serving use and manipulation of bond monies.Thus far Ricasa has received the sweetest deal. Everyone thought myself included that the sweet deal was because she would be the star witness against Gandara,Quinones,Cartmill and Sandoval. I guess we know better now. Everyone can deal with fines over #700 forms that's in the paper and on the news daily. But to say you are a part of this community and render decisions like this is not what this community expected. We expected our day in court and got nothing. I'm not republican but Dumanis and the DA's office worked very hard to get nothing. If there would have been a trial it in all likely hood would have taken years to happen. No wonder the DA's office wanted it downtown.

You are either part of the solition or part of the problem. This judge Espana should step down and let someone who understands what laws are written for preside over the remainder of the cases. Time to turn in your robe young lady.

If we as a community can not trust the courts to protect us then who do we have to turn to? Move the boundaries of our country a few miles north and this case is similar to the justice system to the south of us. Judge Espana took deliberate action is stating she lives in this community. She is not someone I am proud to call neighbor.

Judge Espana was appointed by 'THE ARNOLD' in 2008, then reelected in 2010. Her term will expire in 2017.

Jill Jones? McCann? Brand?

So, it appears the VERY THOUGHT of Ms. Adato sitting up there at the dais has your Fruit of the Loom tighty whiteys in a knot.

Perhaps you might want to tell the 'entire' story.

This 'smear' against a Foundation that GIVES to the students vs. TAKES. Shame, shame.

Remember the community member who dared to speak at a Board meeting and had her employer called? Remember the ESI investigation of another female community member? Remember McCann's failed protective order against yet another community member? Remember all of the reported letters many community members have received in a perceived effort to silence them?

Adato has demanded accountability, it appears certain persons are adverse to this.

The Foundation GIVES to students in an effort to help them in their educational efforts what a novel concept.

The Foundation is NOT being audited by the IRS - SUHSD is in the midst of such an audit Prop O and L street. You know the audit that we found out about via Channel 10 vs. the Board.

Community members ask yourselves this question - are these the kind of persons we want as Board members or Superintendent, persons who will go to ANY lengths to keep the alleged corruption alive and well?

I would like to ask that ANY and ALL persons contacted on behalf of the District/Brand via a letter, ESI (card left or PI spoken to) or Attorney representing SUHSD regarding your comments, your actions, your attendance at Board meetings, contact me.

Time to bring this era of intimidation to an end.

bbq - read Jill Jones' comment at the top.

This is an old story dating back to 2011, it was yet another attempt to discredit any community or his/her affiliations who dares to call for transparency.

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black, was it not Ed Brand who left the first time after a Grand Jury Investigation into Prop BB?

Was it not John McCann who hired an attorney, or OUR dime to file an order of protection and a ridiculous 'theft' accusation against community members who DARED to challenge his lack of representation as a Board member?

Again I say folks, IS THIS THE BEST WE HAVE?

“It’s the largest public corruption case our office has ever prosecuted — systematic and pervasive.” Bonnnie Dumanis, May 11, 2012

Well, it just got larger.

Miss Jones you embarrass yourself and those you represent. These acts of intimidation referred to should be brought forward and investigated

Jill when I read your first comment I was confused as to what this bogus crap you brought up has to do with the article people are posting about. After reading the last post it was obvious what your real intentions were about. A picture of Bertha and your comment about politics. It appears your upset that Ms.Adato has been asked to apply for the vacant board seat. Jill please run back up the hill and see what Tim Tim is up to and let us continue with the real discussion. Jealousy doesn't become you.

Oldchularesident - honesty, integrity, service to ones country has no date stamp. The remark aimed at you, par for the course. However, something tells me you do not need protecting.

Taxpayers being investigated by a superintendent via their very own taxes - yes, definitely worth a look. How much money? Ordered by who? Approved by who? Exactly what was investigated, where are the reports of those investigated and where are the bills? Betcha I know of a couple of entities that have the power to find out.

bbq - if you google Eastlake Educational Foundation of Chula Vista you will be able to ascertain the many good works of this organization. What greater venture is there - giving to youth the gift of Educational benefits?

Reading all the foregoing comments tells me that the people who take time to make such comments are bewildered. They thought the crooks would get their comeuppance in court, and now they see that will not happen. It is hard to tell who is "wobblier" than the other in these cases. The DA bargains multiple felonies and a handful of misdemeanors down to a single count--in this case it was a felony--and the judge further reduces that to a misdemeanor and hands out a non-sentence.

If you had any hopes left that some people would see jail time and/or a stiff fine, they are gone, gone with the wind. None of them will do a single day in jail. Most may be allowed to keep jobs and their seats on the boards.

oskidoll wants to blame this on too much work for a lazy judge. Nope, it is far worse than that. That judge is part of the culture of corruption that has allowed this attitude to take root in So County, and she can no more get tough than she can fly. And all that after taking many months to review the cases. But don't blame it all on her. The plea bargains that she signs off are brought by the DA. They have both gone mushy on the cases, and all the tough talk by Bahnee D was just that: talk. No walk.

The true value of these indictments and pleas would have been to send out the word all round the state that crooked board members, supes, and other educrats could expect to really suffer for their crimes. The message now is that if you get caught, nothing much will happen. And a legion of crooks in the state who were wavering about what they could grab now know that they can take the risk. Lots to gain, little to lose.

I hate to say I told you so, but I did say months ago that the resolution of this has to come at the ballot box. Sounds simple, but this is the school district that reelected two board members who were already indicted, and both continue to serve on the board. In just about any district that I know about, both would have resigned immediately upon the indictment. But, hey, that's in the universe we live in. They live in a parallel place where everything is backward.

eastlaker - 'is there anyone out there who really gives a rp that we are being robbed blind in Sweetwater?' Why yes 'they' would be Ed Brand and certain members of the board.

Case in point - just when we finally have a chance to begin to turn the tide and place members of the public that we can trust sitting at the dais I have no doubt that there is major plotting going on. Brand sees the next ten (10) months as his opportunity to further feather that golden parachute - if it were possible to out lipstick on a pig and call it human I am of the opinion he wold do so to get the votes he needs and wants.

McCann, Cartmill and ? - word on the street the bushes are being beaten. Grossman candidate number 1, McCanns campaign manager candidate number 2????? As I read the flyer detailing quotes from Grossmans book I, once again, shook my head with disgust why in the world would any person with integrity support such a person for a school board seat. But alas this is SUHSD we are talking about.

"I told Ed he was crazy for staying, hell he doesn't need the money" - words spoken to me recently by a 'mover and shaker'. "He is not the man I knew and respected back in the day". NO SIR HE IS NOT! When I find myself in conversations such as this I am amazed how little knowledge such people have about what is really going on within the District. It appears that education of the youth of the South Bay has become an unimportant topic to those who should remember 'where they came from and how they got there',

Dare I raise the question - 'COULD IT BE BECAUSE THE DEMOGRAPHICS HAVE CHANGED'

I received what I perceive as a 'form' letter from our Board of Ed representative Ms. Neylon - part of it referenced a memo dated in November. Let us remember this name, next time you see it with a box next to it - do not fill in the box.

Email sent to board president Jim Cartmil on filling Arlie's vacant seat. Will he do the right thing, or will it be business as usual?

Jim,

Happy New Year. I hope you had a great holiday season!

With an open board seat, now is the time to practice transparency in our district.

When I was the District Advisory Chair at the Chula Vista Elementary School District, there was an open board seat. At the time, the Board and Superintendent Lowell Billings did a great job of using a transparent process to fill the seat. They created a committee of 7 members to review applications of interested candidates. This committee included 2 board members and 5 community members and/or parents involved in district committees. The selection process for this committee was open and transparent, and included a few parents that were critical of the district.

I was on that committee. We had clear requirements and expectations of what we were looking for in the 5 finalists we were to recommend for interviews amongst the 25 who applied. We used a score sheet to grade the candidates. We came to a consensus on those finalists, and recommended them to the Board for interviews. They were interviewed by the Board during open session, and ultimately Douglass Luffenbrough was chosen.

I recommend you use a similar open process. With all the controversies we have going on in our school district, now is the time to do the right thing. Whoever is selected will not please everyone, but if you use an open and transparent process, at least all will be able to see how the decision is made.

Jim, with your trial coming up next month, this may be your last chance to do the right thing for our district and leave a positive finish on your legacy as a Trustee.

If you decide to use some secretive process to select the candidates, please do not allow Ed Brand to decide who they will be. He has proven time and again he does not have the districts best interests in mind, only his.

Bvavsvavev - this surprises you? You must be of the impression that OUR Board members and OUR Superintendent care about howmthey are perceived vy the students, community/voters. At a recent Board meeting District personnel were advised that they should proceed with caution before sending emails.

The only Board Member to ever respond in writing has been Lopez. Cattmill has returned calls. Quinones did answer when I called her.

McCann, now pleader of guilt Ricasa - neither have EVER contacted me - not by phone, not by email, not by US Postal Serv, nor by Pony Express - although I did see a carrier pigeon flying over my home a couple of times.

SOOOOOO, here we are Friday early evening and the District has posted a SPECIAL Board Meeting Tuesday at 4:30 to discuss filling the vacancy.

Now, wouldn't you have thought that this should:

1- have been a part of the original Board Meeting posting earlier in the week, thereby giving us, the voters, time enough to plan to be there?

2- have been scheduled at a time when WORKING voters are available to attend and speak publicly?

Those of you monitoring SUHSD - this serves as yet another example of the LACK of transparency and RESPECT of the voting public.

I am disappointed, but not surprised. I have learned not to expect sober behavior from a drunk, or in this case, ethical behavior from those who have none.

It would be a good strategy to make copies of the Board's own bylaw regarding filling a vacancy and distribute them at the door to all who attend the meeting. That way, everyone present can be informed of the steps the Board is supposed to take to fill the vacancy and need not rely on Ed's interpretation of the rule.

missionaccomplished - you are correct, however, in these alleged 'corruptive' white collar crimes unfortunately, innocent students were the victims.

Barbara Stevens - one thing about the Internet, EVERYTHING can be found out. Facebook does not take kindly to fake personas and have been known to block such IP addresses. Names ONCE respected, devious deeds revealed publicly, OH MY!!!!!!! How will they explain their strings being pulled by the puppeteer? How will they explain support of a superintendent who the community wants gone and the attacks on a Foundation that has given so much. Amazing isn't it Brand sits back while his puppets put their very reputations on the line by doing his bidding. He will drive home up North yet they will remain to walk and live amongst us and be expected to answer the question WHY WOULD YOU DO SUCH A THING?

I have been thinking about the process of Board member replacement and keep following up on the Ethics and conflict of interest issues. I wonder did Ed Brand sign a conflict of interest agreement when he was hired or as I have to do every year?

If so isn't there a conflict of interest if he recommends or indorses candidates to fill open board slots? These are the people that not only pay him, but evaluate him.

One would think that whenever he puts or recommends someone for a committee he is influencing the outcome of that committee's decision, or at least having someone from his inner circle reporting back to him of committee discussions, ie a fly on the wall so to speak.

The same thing holds true whenever he himself sits on a committee that is to decide one of his decisions or proposals, where is the open unbiased public decision or forum? No doubt he should present his vision and rationale for a proposal but to have him part of the debate or discussion is a questionable practice.

Basically the tenents of the board and the board rules or at least the current interpretation of the rules are stacked up against the public and transparency, they are all in favor of the Superintendant and adminstration.

I recommend that we, as a public show up at Tuesday's meeting and strive to strike or remove any adminstration or superintendant input to the Board Replacement or future Committee make up.

Other than the previous manipulation of elections and the weak ethics of our current Board, it is time to take back SUHSD.

See you Tuesday, BBQ, CAVE, Citizens Active for Value in Education, (What do you think Ed?)

Anniej

You describe a Tokyo Rose. She was not listened to either.

Anniej, again, as always, thanks for what you are doing. And thank you to all who are actively standing up against this inbred corruption.

I recommend that Judge Espana take a good look at the plaque of remembrance that honors judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys who significantly contributed to criminal Justice in San Diego County.

The plaque was dedicated in 2008 in the Hall of Justice (main courthouse) at 330 W Broadway, San Diego. I suggest she ask herself if those honored on that plaque would have taken the easy way out in handling multiple trials for corrupt public officials.

"A civilization will be judged on the manner in which it enforces its criminal laws."

oskidoll - from your fingertips to Judge Espana's ears.

Many in the South Bay are truly bewildered. We are drowning in alleged corruption and just when we have faith that those that cared enough to investigate (DA's) office the judge ceremoniously pulls the rug out from beneath us.

Judge Epana is allegedly quoted as saying 'Wilson did not hurt Southerestern' - what realm of reality does Her Honor operate in? Surely it must be a parallel universe where civilized societies law breaking has no consequences.

We can only hope that the SUHSD indictees will be held responsible,

While the Judge may not believe anything 'that wrong' has taken place, WE DO!!!!!

When a community looses faith in a Judge that hears criminal cases such as these, what have we?