Jury Convicts Former Community College Chancellor of Eight Counts, Declares Mistrial on 18 Remaining Charges
A jury has delivered a verdict in the trial of former San Mateo County Community College District Chancellor Ronald Galatolo, finding him guilty of eight counts of tax evasion and perjury charges. The jury, after deliberating for eight days, returned guilty verdicts on four felony tax evasion counts and four felony perjury counts.
However, the jury was unable to reach a consensus on 18 remaining felony charges, including embezzlement, conflict of interest, and misuse of public funds. As a result, San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Leland Davis III declared a mistrial on those counts.
Galatolo's defense team had maintained throughout the trial that any gifts he received were reciprocated, and that he was not involved in the decision-making process for awarding contracts to firms. The prosecution argued that Galatolo's actions formed a "pattern of fraud" aimed at gaining personal benefits.
The verdict on eight counts includes two perjury convictions related to incorrectly reporting vehicle purchases, as well as two counts of tax evasion. Two other charges were also found guilty: one count of perjury and three counts of tax code violations.
Galatolo's defense attorney, Charles J. Smith III, expressed gratitude for the jury's verdict on the eight counts but acknowledged that the mistrial declaration on the remaining charges means it is unclear whether Galatolo will face trial again.
The district attorney's office has stated that it will take a few weeks to analyze and reflect on the trial before deciding whether to retry the hung counts. The prosecution had cited Galatolo's supposed catchphrase, "It's good to be king," as evidence of his alleged desire for personal gain through his actions as chancellor.
Galatolo served as district chancellor from 2001 to 2019, earning an annual salary of over $400,000. A whistleblower complaint in 2019 prompted the investigation into his actions.
A jury has delivered a verdict in the trial of former San Mateo County Community College District Chancellor Ronald Galatolo, finding him guilty of eight counts of tax evasion and perjury charges. The jury, after deliberating for eight days, returned guilty verdicts on four felony tax evasion counts and four felony perjury counts.
However, the jury was unable to reach a consensus on 18 remaining felony charges, including embezzlement, conflict of interest, and misuse of public funds. As a result, San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Leland Davis III declared a mistrial on those counts.
Galatolo's defense team had maintained throughout the trial that any gifts he received were reciprocated, and that he was not involved in the decision-making process for awarding contracts to firms. The prosecution argued that Galatolo's actions formed a "pattern of fraud" aimed at gaining personal benefits.
The verdict on eight counts includes two perjury convictions related to incorrectly reporting vehicle purchases, as well as two counts of tax evasion. Two other charges were also found guilty: one count of perjury and three counts of tax code violations.
Galatolo's defense attorney, Charles J. Smith III, expressed gratitude for the jury's verdict on the eight counts but acknowledged that the mistrial declaration on the remaining charges means it is unclear whether Galatolo will face trial again.
The district attorney's office has stated that it will take a few weeks to analyze and reflect on the trial before deciding whether to retry the hung counts. The prosecution had cited Galatolo's supposed catchphrase, "It's good to be king," as evidence of his alleged desire for personal gain through his actions as chancellor.
Galatolo served as district chancellor from 2001 to 2019, earning an annual salary of over $400,000. A whistleblower complaint in 2019 prompted the investigation into his actions.
... like, how come they only convicted him on eight counts? Isn't that suspicious? What are they trying to hide? The fact that the jury couldn't reach a verdict on 18 charges seems fishy too. And what's with the prosecution bringing up his supposed "catchphrase" as evidence? Sounds like they're trying to distract us from something 
. I mean, Galatolo was making over $400k a year and now he's just gonna get off scot-free because of some technicality? Nah, that don't add up...
This verdict is kinda mixed, you know? On one hand, it's good that Galatolo got found guilty on those eight counts - tax evasion and perjury can't be taken lightly. It's like, he did engage in some shady stuff, and justice was served for that part of his term.
It's frustrating when you feel like justice wasn't fully served because of a hung jury. I mean, if they couldn't reach a consensus on those other charges, it leaves a lot of questions unanswered.
it's like, what does this even mean? if they couldn't reach a verdict, can we really say he was guilty or not? seems like some of these charges were pretty serious stuff... embezzlement and misuse of public funds? that's some heavy stuff 
It's like the jury just couldn't agree on everything. And what about those gifts he received - were they really reciprocated or was it just an excuse? 
I mean on one hand it's awesome that justice was served and Galatolo got found guilty on some serious charges 
but at the same time, it's super frustrating that he didn't get a clear cut verdict on all 18 counts 
So either way I'm glad we got to see some accountability come out of this whole mess 