Investigator Finds More Alioto Gifts

One year after it began in secret, an internal investigation of Proposition R and the Southwestern College Education Foundation made public this last week revealed some bombshells about the Foundation, but little new evidence of construction corruption.

The review, first reported in The Sun last March, was authorized to investigate the procurement process and the rewarding of contracts for Prop R construction projects, as well as questions surrounding SWC Foundation fundraising and expenditures. The final results of the review were sent to the office of San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis one day earlier to be used in her ongoing investigation of corruption at SWC and the Sweetwater Union High School District. SWC has been working cooperatively with the D.A. since January 2011 soon after a new majority took control of the governing board.

“We need to take a new look at Proposition R,” said Norma Hernandez, governing board president. “This is part of our commitment to ensure the public’s money is used most appropriately and effectively to achieve our goals of educational excellence, institutional integrity and transparency.”

D.A. Raids Homes of Salcido, Dominguez

*By Mary York and Nickolas Furr

Pearl Quinones (L) and Yolanda Salcido (R) / Photo: Christopher Martinez

Agents of the San Diego County District Attorney raided the homes of the former Southwestern College governing board members Yolanda Salcido and Dr. Jorge Dominguez. Tuesday morning, the latest in a series of law enforcement actions involving SWC and Sweetwater Union High School District board members and administrators. In December the DA raided the homes of seven educators and a construction company executive. Five were charged with multiple felonies including bribery, influencing public officials and perjury.

Dominguez said his Jamul home was searched at 8 a.m. and insisted he does not know why he was targeted.

“They’re coming to the end of their search for evidence,” he said. “I think I’m just at the end of that trail. I can’t blame people because they don’t know I’m innocent. They’re just doing their job.”