DA: San Diego School Officials Charged In Largest-Ever Public Corruption Case
SAN DIEGO (CBS) — A former San Diego County school superintendent and four other officials were charged Wednesday in what is being called the largest public corruption case in county history.
KNX 1070's Tom Reopelle reports the scandal involved a so-called "pay-to-play" scheme with construction companies.
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"They traded their votes on awarding bond projects for a long list of bribes," said San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. "The projects they awarded were voter-approved, funded by the taxpayer, and worth of millions of dollars."
Between 2008 and 2011, the school officials accepted thousands of dollars worth of gifts that included expensive meals, Lakers playoff tickets and a trip to Napa Valley, Dumanis said.
The current superintendent said the district suspended its current construction firm, but two trustees will remain on the school board despite the charges.
The defendants could face up to seven years in prison if convicted along with fines, the Associated Press reported.
An arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 13.
