Ex school boss pleads to federal charge

Former San Ysidro School District Superintendent Manuel Paul pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal charge related to allegations of a pay-to-play culture at South County schools.

According to federal documents, Paul demanded $3,600 in political contributions from a contractor, making it clear that the contractor had to pay the money to be considered for district construction contracts.

Paul, 63, pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor charge of deprivation of benefit for political contribution, at an unannounced hearing at the federal courthouse downtown. Paul had been under investigation by federal authorities in connection with the payment since 2012.

Under terms of the deal, Paul will have to pay a $100,000 fine. Federal prosecutors also said Paul has agreed to pay the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission a $5,000 fine for accepting gifts above the annual limit specified by state law.

“We demand the best from our public servants and expect them to deal honestly and fairly when conducting the public’s business,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Daphne Hearn said in a statement. “Mr. Paul did not do that, and will now be held accountable for his actions.”

Paul resigned as superintendent of the 5,000-student district in 2013.

His troubles began when he testified in a June 2012 deposition for a civil suit against the district that he took $2,500 in cash from a local builder seeking to do business with the district.

The cash was handed off in the front seat of Paul’s Mercedes-Benz in a parking lot of a South Bay steakhouse in 2010. It came from contractor Loreto Romero.

Paul testified that he spent the money at a print shop in Tijuana for campaign signs for board member Yolanda Hernandez. She later amended campaign filing reports to show $1,897 in contributions from Romero.

A receipt from a print shop was for $1,401 in signs, less than the $2,500 in cash Paul received, and it was dated months before Romero gave Paul the money.

The charge Paul pleaded guilty to makes no mention of an incident in July 2013 in which district documents were burned and shredded at a maintenance yard owned by the district. Paul was reportedly seen on the property the night before, an employee told U-T Watchdog at the time.

Paul’s defense lawyer James Fitzpatrick declined to comment on that incident but said the plea ends the case.

“This brings to a close everything that was floating out there,” Fitzpatrick said. “It brings a global closure to everything.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Mazza said the plea “is to a charge that most accurately describe his conduct” with Romero.

“He went to this contractor and said, if you want to get your name on this list of contractors who will be considered for future work, you have to make this contribution,” he said.

Paul was also indicted in a related state corruption probe by the San Diego District Attorney’s office, involving South County schools officials. In that case he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of filing a false document.

Paul is to be sentenced by Magistrate Judge William Gallo on Nov. 18.

Legislation passed the Assembly this week banning administrators from soliciting contributions for school board members or candidates, a response to the South County corruption cases.

San Ysidro was sued by EcoBusiness Alliance, a contractor claiming it lost out as a result of a pay-to-play culture. It was during depositions for that lawsuit that Paul acknowledged receiving cash from a contractor. EcoBusiness Alliance won a $12 million judgment against the school district, which is facing insolvency.