Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Judge España goes easy on Southwestern College VP

Nicholas Alioto's felony reduced to misdemeanor

Alioto, dancing at the 2010 Southwestern fundraising gala
Alioto, dancing at the 2010 Southwestern fundraising gala

South Bay residents expressed disenchantment with decisions being handed out in judge Ana España’s South Bay courtroom on January 30; then, España reduced former Southwestern College vice-president of business affairs Nicholas Alioto’s felony to a misdemeanor.

Alioto was a powerful player in what district attorney Bonnie Dumanis once described as the biggest corruption case in the history of San Diego County.

Alioto was originally charged with 11 counts, including conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to commit a crime, perjury by declaration, receiving a bribe, wrongful influence, filing a false instrument, and accepting gifts in excess of the legal amount. Ultimately, he pleaded to accepting gifts.

In 2011, the Union-Tribune reported that Alioto went on a Napa wine-and-golf junket “three weeks before [Echo Construction] was awarded a $4 million contract with the college.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

The Napa trip was a prize awarded at the 2010 Southwestern Education Foundation Gala.

Frustration with the January 30 proceedings began early. Southwestern professor Carla Kirkwood pointed out that up until the day before the hearing, the South Bay court calendar scheduled Alioto’s sentencing for 1:30. Not until late Thursday did members of the public learn it was switched to the morning court session.

Kirkwood, who brought initial complaints to the district attorney’s office, expressed the opinion that more of her colleagues would have liked the opportunity to address the court but were unable to switch their calendars on such short notice.

Carla Kirkwood

Kirkwood stated, “The judge's change of schedule without posted public notice shows no regard for the community that was so damaged by these illegal actions and by those who carried out these acts. España's insistence on expressing her outrage at these acts coupled with her sentencing and scheduling decisions makes the court look both contradictory and hypocritical. How many political agendas have these cases been buried under? Who is seeking justice for our students, our families, our community, and our schools?”

Before sentencing, Kirkwood addressed España and reminded her that previous to being hired by Southwestern, Alioto had a consultancy business in Wisconsin that allegedly had ethical problems.

España, in her pre-sentencing remarks, stated that when Alioto arrived from Wisconsin “the wining and the dining was going quite strong and [Alioto] got swept right into it.”

Alioto’s attorney acknowledged that Alioto “became powerful at the school and that, unfortunately, power does corrupt.” Then, his attorney went on to state that Alioto did wrong by accepting gifts “but in his heart he always tried to do good by that school.”

Another speaker who addressed the court was community advocate Stewart Payne. Payne argued on behalf of South Bay taxpayers who will be paying down a billion-dollar bond debt for the next 40 years. Payne told the judge, “For me, this is a life sentence.” Payne pointed to the dusty corner lot at Southwestern that has absorbed millions of taxpayer dollars yet remains dusty.

Nicholas Alioto

Nick Marinovich, Sweetwater Proposition O bond-committee chair, asked España, “What message is it that you’re sending today to those who work in a public arena?” Marinovich recommended that Alioto get in line for a “baloney sandwich.”

Community advocate Fran Brinkman told the judge, “This community is disappointed. We were looking forward to our day in court — February 18 has now become April 28.” Brinkman also charged the judge with “inequity” in the sentences she’s handing out.

Kathleen Canney-Lopez, a Southwestern College professor and community resident, sent España a letter that read, in part:

“Lessening the charges to misdemeanors tells thousands of students that what they learn in our ethics classes (required for graduation) is not really true, at least for our former college administrators. We try to teach that short-term personal gain does not pay in the long run. I'm afraid the ‘Pay to Play’ scandal cases have shown the opposite.”

In addition to the misdemeanor charge, 160 days of community service, and a $7944 fine, España suggested that Alioto say, “I’m sorry.”

Alioto said, “I want to accept responsibility for the performance that I was involved in and say that I am truly sorry for anything that my actions resulted in. I believe very strongly to this day that the actions that I took were intended to get the best deals for the college…”

Deputy district attorney Leon Schorr said that although Alioto’s time at Southwestern was short, “it was a crucial period during the [request-for-proposal] selection process.” Schorr pressed for a felony charge.

After the hearing, Kirkwood commented, “The sentence handed out today demonstrates that this pattern of behavior has been sanctioned by the court.”

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Dia de los Muertos Celebration, Love Thy Neighbor(Hood): Food & Art Exploration

Events November 2-November 6, 2024
Alioto, dancing at the 2010 Southwestern fundraising gala
Alioto, dancing at the 2010 Southwestern fundraising gala

South Bay residents expressed disenchantment with decisions being handed out in judge Ana España’s South Bay courtroom on January 30; then, España reduced former Southwestern College vice-president of business affairs Nicholas Alioto’s felony to a misdemeanor.

Alioto was a powerful player in what district attorney Bonnie Dumanis once described as the biggest corruption case in the history of San Diego County.

Alioto was originally charged with 11 counts, including conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to commit a crime, perjury by declaration, receiving a bribe, wrongful influence, filing a false instrument, and accepting gifts in excess of the legal amount. Ultimately, he pleaded to accepting gifts.

In 2011, the Union-Tribune reported that Alioto went on a Napa wine-and-golf junket “three weeks before [Echo Construction] was awarded a $4 million contract with the college.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

The Napa trip was a prize awarded at the 2010 Southwestern Education Foundation Gala.

Frustration with the January 30 proceedings began early. Southwestern professor Carla Kirkwood pointed out that up until the day before the hearing, the South Bay court calendar scheduled Alioto’s sentencing for 1:30. Not until late Thursday did members of the public learn it was switched to the morning court session.

Kirkwood, who brought initial complaints to the district attorney’s office, expressed the opinion that more of her colleagues would have liked the opportunity to address the court but were unable to switch their calendars on such short notice.

Carla Kirkwood

Kirkwood stated, “The judge's change of schedule without posted public notice shows no regard for the community that was so damaged by these illegal actions and by those who carried out these acts. España's insistence on expressing her outrage at these acts coupled with her sentencing and scheduling decisions makes the court look both contradictory and hypocritical. How many political agendas have these cases been buried under? Who is seeking justice for our students, our families, our community, and our schools?”

Before sentencing, Kirkwood addressed España and reminded her that previous to being hired by Southwestern, Alioto had a consultancy business in Wisconsin that allegedly had ethical problems.

España, in her pre-sentencing remarks, stated that when Alioto arrived from Wisconsin “the wining and the dining was going quite strong and [Alioto] got swept right into it.”

Alioto’s attorney acknowledged that Alioto “became powerful at the school and that, unfortunately, power does corrupt.” Then, his attorney went on to state that Alioto did wrong by accepting gifts “but in his heart he always tried to do good by that school.”

Another speaker who addressed the court was community advocate Stewart Payne. Payne argued on behalf of South Bay taxpayers who will be paying down a billion-dollar bond debt for the next 40 years. Payne told the judge, “For me, this is a life sentence.” Payne pointed to the dusty corner lot at Southwestern that has absorbed millions of taxpayer dollars yet remains dusty.

Nicholas Alioto

Nick Marinovich, Sweetwater Proposition O bond-committee chair, asked España, “What message is it that you’re sending today to those who work in a public arena?” Marinovich recommended that Alioto get in line for a “baloney sandwich.”

Community advocate Fran Brinkman told the judge, “This community is disappointed. We were looking forward to our day in court — February 18 has now become April 28.” Brinkman also charged the judge with “inequity” in the sentences she’s handing out.

Kathleen Canney-Lopez, a Southwestern College professor and community resident, sent España a letter that read, in part:

“Lessening the charges to misdemeanors tells thousands of students that what they learn in our ethics classes (required for graduation) is not really true, at least for our former college administrators. We try to teach that short-term personal gain does not pay in the long run. I'm afraid the ‘Pay to Play’ scandal cases have shown the opposite.”

In addition to the misdemeanor charge, 160 days of community service, and a $7944 fine, España suggested that Alioto say, “I’m sorry.”

Alioto said, “I want to accept responsibility for the performance that I was involved in and say that I am truly sorry for anything that my actions resulted in. I believe very strongly to this day that the actions that I took were intended to get the best deals for the college…”

Deputy district attorney Leon Schorr said that although Alioto’s time at Southwestern was short, “it was a crucial period during the [request-for-proposal] selection process.” Schorr pressed for a felony charge.

After the hearing, Kirkwood commented, “The sentence handed out today demonstrates that this pattern of behavior has been sanctioned by the court.”

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

The danger of San Diego's hoarders

The $1 million Flash Comics #1
Next Article

Gonzo Report: Goose may have indie vibes, but they’re still a jam band

Fans turn out in force for show at SDSU
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader