2 Fil-Ams in California corruption case plead ‘not guilty’

SAN DIEGO, California—The two Filipino-Americans involved, in what prosecutors say is the largest corruption case in the county,  have plead not guilty.

Filipino Americans Arlie Ricasa, a Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHD) trustee, and construction executive Henry Amigable, plead not guilty last Friday in their first court appearance since being accused of several charges from perjury, filing a false document to giving or offering a bribe.

Former SUHSD Superintendent Jesus Gandara, trustee Pearl Quinones, and 16-year former board member Greg Sandoval have also been implicated and plead not guilty.

Gandara, 55, Sandoval, 58, Quinones, 59, and Ricasa, 47, are charged with perjury, filing a false document and/ or wrongful influence. Amigable, 47, is charged with giving or offering a bribe, according court documents. If convicted, the defendants face four to seven years in prison.

Prosecutors allege the defendants were part of a “pay-for-play” scheme where Amigable would “bribe” SUHD officials in exchange for their votes on multi-million dollar construction projects.

“The defendants from the school district, who were entrusted with making decisions on behalf of the best interests of students and schools, received tens of thousands of dollars worth of meals, tickets and hotel stays from construction companies vying for voter-approved bond projects,” said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. “Shortly after board members received financial favors, they approved contracts with the contractors for bond projects stemming from Sweetwater’s $644 million Proposition O.”

Dumanis said the DA has been investigating the case for over a year and that it is still ongoing with possible additional charges to follow.

Attorneys for the defendants believe their clients will be exonerated, once the trial starts.

“Ms. Quinones’ vote is not for sale,” said Quinones’ attorney, Marc Carlos, after the arraignment last Friday.

“Everything that she did she had prior approval of. She consulted with attorneys. She did everything which is done in a normal course and scope of her job and with the board.”

Amigable’s attorney, Dan Greene, said his client’s expenses were not out of the ordinary and approved by his bosses.

“He’s been trained by the companies he’s worked for, ‘You need to make connections. You need to introduce people,’” Greene told KGTV.

“Meet and greets. We’ve called it wining and dining. If this were the private sector, I’m sure nobody would be shocked. Wining and dining happens all the time.”

Ricasa, who is on paid administrative leave since being charged, and Quinones do not plan to step down from the board, according to their attorneys.

The defendants are scheduled back in court again on March 23. Joseph Pimentel/AJPress