Polls show Prop 50, of which the governor is chief promoter, heading for a big victory Tuesday, and he now has the names of 100,000 donors to the Yes campaign whom he can contact if he runs for president.
Opening statements are expected to begin today (Oct. 27) in the embezzlement trial of former San Mateo County Community College chancellor Ron Galatolo. Galatolo, 60, of Menlo Park, is accused of taking bribes from contractors hired to expand and renovate the college, which has campuses in Redwood City, San Mateo and San Bruno. The work was funded by three bond measures, which were approved by voters and totaled $1 billion. Galatolo is free on $150,000 cash bail.
The United States Supreme Court's recent decisions in Snyder vs. United States and Trump vs. U.S. have caused concern for many over the long-term implications of prosecuting government officials. Experts warn these two decisions could make it harder to pursue public corruption charges because of immunity granted for "official acts" and narrowing the scope of what is considered illegal gratuity.
