A San Diego Superior Court Judge Tuesday sentenced two former Southwestern College board members to probation, a fine and community service for committing crimes in the Southwestern College corruption case.
Ex-governing board member Jorge Dominguez had a felony charge of being an accessory to a crime reduced to a misdemeanor.
His attorney, Vikas Bajaj, had asked the judge to reduce the crime because he said Dominguez has been cooperative with the District Attorney’s Office throughout the case.
“Mr. Dominguez was always willing to be truthful,” Bajaj said. “Mr. Schorr was actually present at his house. I believed he talked to my client. I don’t think Mr. Schorr has anything bad to say about my client other than the fact he failed to complete his Form 700.”
Bajaj also said that his client’s initial lawyer did not fully represent him,and said if he was properly represented Dominguez wouldn’t have been brought into the case.
Schorr agreed that Dominguez has been cooperative since the beginning but suggests that he still committed a crime.
“We do feel the conduct was incorrect conduct,” Schorr said.
Dominguez was ordered to complete 80 hours of community service and must pay a $4,995 fine, which he will do at $50 a month.
Bajaj unsuccessfully argued to the judge for a reduced fine for Dominguez because Dominguez has suffered a financial hardship.
Espana said after a year Dominguez has the opportunity to expunge his misdemeanor.
Former governing board member Yolanda Salcido was also sentenced Tuesday to three years probation and 120 hours of community service for filing a false document. She also has to pay a $4,995 fine.
Salcido was credited with having performed 40 hours of community service.
Salcido stated in a letter to the judge that she didn’t purposefully commit a crime and as a result she said she suffered the consequences.
“Unfortunately, my unintended error in judgment not only immensely hurt my family, virtually ruined me financially, destroyed my reputation and tarnished a lifetime of good public service, but it had profound, far-reaching consequences,” the letter states.
Because of a scheduling conflict, former San Ysidro Superintendent Manual Paul received a continuance to June 24.
