| April 2014 |
October 26, 2008
Bertha Lopez reveals
some personnel
records, hides others;
Jaime Mercado opens
his file at SUHSD
In 2002 I sued Chula Vista
Elementary School District
for violations of the labor
code and other illegal
actions, and Bertha Lopez
and other trustees refused
to produce my personnel
file for the case.
What are she and the rest
of the CVESD board
hiding?
Is it something that's in the
file, or, more likely, is it
something that's missing
from the file? Among the
very few documents
produced by CVESD were
documents that were
altered, pre-dated or post-
dated. CVESD hid or
destroyed other
documents, and failed to
create any paper trail at all
on important occasions.
Bertha Lopez violated the
law in a regular manner
during her years as a
CVESD board member.
Jaime Mercado, on the
other hand, is clearly a
person of decency who
doesn't step on other
people to get ahead. He
cares enough about
others to give a pay
advance to an employee
whose salary schedule
included two months with
no pay each year.
Former superintendent Ed
Brand and Bertha Lopez
are very much a part of
the unethical and greedy
inside circle that controls
schools in San Diego
County.
Here's today's SDUT
article about Bertha's
request to open personnel
files:
Candidates open
personnel files; 1 has
reprimand
By Chris Moran
SAN DIEGO UNION-
TRIBUNE
October 25, 2008
CHULA VISTA – Rivals in
the race for a seat on the
Sweetwater Union High
School District board
opened their personnel
files to The San Diego
Union-Tribune, revealing
overwhelmingly positive
evaluations of the 30-plus
years each has spent as
an educator in South
County public schools.
The file of candidate
Bertha Lopez, a National
School District teacher,
contains positive
evaluations and no
reprimands.
In addition to positive
evaluations, incumbent
Jaime Mercado's file
contains a 2002 letter
reprimanding him for using
Associated Student Body
money to make a loan to
an employee. Mercado
was principal of Palomar
High School in Chula Vista
at the time.
Then-Superintendent Ed
Brand declined to suspend
Mercado in part, he wrote,
because “although your
judgment was poor, your
actions were not self-
serving.”
Mercado said he
authorized the loan
because the employee
faced two months without
a paycheck because of a
lag in the district's payroll
system. Mercado said the
employee told him that
without the money, he
would not be able to pay
his rent.
The money was restored
to the account a month
later. Mercado said he
used his own money to
pay back the account and
that the employee
reimbursed him in
installments.
In a letter of response to
the reprimand, Mercado
wrote at the time, “I was
making up for a payroll
system that has for years
shamefully abused the
basic right of employees to
get paid in a timely
manner.”
In an interview this week,
Mercado called the
reprimand letter retaliation
by Brand.
[Blogger's note: Ed Brand
has become famous for
illegal retaliation. He was
connected to widespread
wrongdoing when he was
superintendent of SUHSD,
including the Mary Anne
Weegar case, in which he
retaliated against an
administrator who
complained that the law
was not being followed by
the district. He suddenly
resigned from San Marcos
Unified School District in
August 2006. I'm not
surprised to hear about
more illegal retaliation by
Ed Brand.
In the months before the
letter was issued, another
Sweetwater principal had
filed a sexual-harassment
claim against a high-level
district administrator, and
Mercado had agreed to
make a declaration that
the same administrator
had mistreated him. The
principal eventually filed a
lawsuit alleging that she
was wrongfully demoted in
retaliation for the sexual-
harassment complaint.
The district paid $150,000
to settle the lawsuit.
Lopez asked the Union-
Tribune to review the files
after being asked about a
petition dated April 21
signed by her co-workers
at John Otis Elementary
School. It states that
Lopez “is not a team
player, and in actuality she
has worked assiduously at
creating division and
tension among staff
members.”
Lopez transferred to
another school in August,
and her personnel file
shows that she
volunteered for the
transfer. The petition and
its allegations are not part
of her file.
Bertha Lopez reveals
some personnel
records, hides others;
Jaime Mercado opens
his file at SUHSD
In 2002 I sued Chula Vista
Elementary School District
for violations of the labor
code and other illegal
actions, and Bertha Lopez
and other trustees refused
to produce my personnel
file for the case.
What are she and the rest
of the CVESD board
hiding?
Is it something that's in the
file, or, more likely, is it
something that's missing
from the file? Among the
very few documents
produced by CVESD were
documents that were
altered, pre-dated or post-
dated. CVESD hid or
destroyed other
documents, and failed to
create any paper trail at all
on important occasions.
Bertha Lopez violated the
law in a regular manner
during her years as a
CVESD board member.
Jaime Mercado, on the
other hand, is clearly a
person of decency who
doesn't step on other
people to get ahead. He
cares enough about
others to give a pay
advance to an employee
whose salary schedule
included two months with
no pay each year.
Former superintendent Ed
Brand and Bertha Lopez
are very much a part of
the unethical and greedy
inside circle that controls
schools in San Diego
County.
Here's today's SDUT
article about Bertha's
request to open personnel
files:
Candidates open
personnel files; 1 has
reprimand
By Chris Moran
SAN DIEGO UNION-
TRIBUNE
October 25, 2008
CHULA VISTA – Rivals in
the race for a seat on the
Sweetwater Union High
School District board
opened their personnel
files to The San Diego
Union-Tribune, revealing
overwhelmingly positive
evaluations of the 30-plus
years each has spent as
an educator in South
County public schools.
The file of candidate
Bertha Lopez, a National
School District teacher,
contains positive
evaluations and no
reprimands.
In addition to positive
evaluations, incumbent
Jaime Mercado's file
contains a 2002 letter
reprimanding him for using
Associated Student Body
money to make a loan to
an employee. Mercado
was principal of Palomar
High School in Chula Vista
at the time.
Then-Superintendent Ed
Brand declined to suspend
Mercado in part, he wrote,
because “although your
judgment was poor, your
actions were not self-
serving.”
Mercado said he
authorized the loan
because the employee
faced two months without
a paycheck because of a
lag in the district's payroll
system. Mercado said the
employee told him that
without the money, he
would not be able to pay
his rent.
The money was restored
to the account a month
later. Mercado said he
used his own money to
pay back the account and
that the employee
reimbursed him in
installments.
In a letter of response to
the reprimand, Mercado
wrote at the time, “I was
making up for a payroll
system that has for years
shamefully abused the
basic right of employees to
get paid in a timely
manner.”
In an interview this week,
Mercado called the
reprimand letter retaliation
by Brand.
[Blogger's note: Ed Brand
has become famous for
illegal retaliation. He was
connected to widespread
wrongdoing when he was
superintendent of SUHSD,
including the Mary Anne
Weegar case, in which he
retaliated against an
administrator who
complained that the law
was not being followed by
the district. He suddenly
resigned from San Marcos
Unified School District in
August 2006. I'm not
surprised to hear about
more illegal retaliation by
Ed Brand.
In the months before the
letter was issued, another
Sweetwater principal had
filed a sexual-harassment
claim against a high-level
district administrator, and
Mercado had agreed to
make a declaration that
the same administrator
had mistreated him. The
principal eventually filed a
lawsuit alleging that she
was wrongfully demoted in
retaliation for the sexual-
harassment complaint.
The district paid $150,000
to settle the lawsuit.
Lopez asked the Union-
Tribune to review the files
after being asked about a
petition dated April 21
signed by her co-workers
at John Otis Elementary
School. It states that
Lopez “is not a team
player, and in actuality she
has worked assiduously at
creating division and
tension among staff
members.”
Lopez transferred to
another school in August,
and her personnel file
shows that she
volunteered for the
transfer. The petition and
its allegations are not part
of her file.
Bertha Lopez, teacher and school board
member (CVESD and Sweetwater USD)
member (CVESD and Sweetwater USD)
| Home Why This Website SDCOE CVESD Castle Park Elem Law Enforcement CTA CVE Stutz Artiano Shinoff Silence is Golden Schools and Violence Office Admin Hearings Larkins OAH Hearing |
Bertha Lopez
Education:
1972-1976 University of California, La Jolla (UCSD)
Bachelor of Arts – Spanish Literature
1975-1976 University of California, La Jolla (UCSD)
Teacher Education Program
Multiple Subjects Life Credential – K-12th
1977-1978 San Diego State University
Multicultural Education Program
Bilingual Cross-Cultural Specialist Life Credential
Experience:
2010-PresentBilingual Kindergarten Teacher
National School District
1995-2010Reading/Language Arts Specialist
National School District
1992-1995Bilingual Teacher – 6th Grade
National School District
1990-1992Migrant Education Project Specialist
San Diego County Office of Education
1976-1990 Bilingual Teacher K-6th Grade
National School District
Public Elected Official:
2008-Present Sweetwater Union High School District –
Governing Board Member
1998-2008 Chula Vista Elementary School District – Governing
Board Member
2002-Present California School Boards Association – Delegate
Assembly Member
Civic Duties:
University of California San Diego, Community Advisory Board to
Chancellor Fox California Selective Service Local Board Member
SDCOE Latino Advisory Board to the County Superintendent
National City Elementary Teachers Association – Membership
Chair
California Association for Bilingual Education –
Parent/Community Relations
South County California Association for Bilingual Education –
Scholarship Chair
Other Organizations (Partial List):
CSBA Parent Involvement Task Force
Parent and Teacher Association – Vice President
American Youth Soccer Association – Registrar
Awards and Recognitions:
SDCOE Celebrating “Bi-literacy” Community Leadership Award
National University Community Leadership Award
“Hats Off to Teachers” San Diego County Office of Education
California Teachers Association – The
“WHO” Award
Consulting Teacher/PAR Mentor Teacher Leader
Tribute to Women in Industry (TWIN) Award
California Latino School Boards Association Unity Award
Association of Mexican American Educators – South Bay
Educator of Distinction Award
Education:
1972-1976 University of California, La Jolla (UCSD)
Bachelor of Arts – Spanish Literature
1975-1976 University of California, La Jolla (UCSD)
Teacher Education Program
Multiple Subjects Life Credential – K-12th
1977-1978 San Diego State University
Multicultural Education Program
Bilingual Cross-Cultural Specialist Life Credential
Experience:
2010-PresentBilingual Kindergarten Teacher
National School District
1995-2010Reading/Language Arts Specialist
National School District
1992-1995Bilingual Teacher – 6th Grade
National School District
1990-1992Migrant Education Project Specialist
San Diego County Office of Education
1976-1990 Bilingual Teacher K-6th Grade
National School District
Public Elected Official:
2008-Present Sweetwater Union High School District –
Governing Board Member
1998-2008 Chula Vista Elementary School District – Governing
Board Member
2002-Present California School Boards Association – Delegate
Assembly Member
Civic Duties:
University of California San Diego, Community Advisory Board to
Chancellor Fox California Selective Service Local Board Member
SDCOE Latino Advisory Board to the County Superintendent
National City Elementary Teachers Association – Membership
Chair
California Association for Bilingual Education –
Parent/Community Relations
South County California Association for Bilingual Education –
Scholarship Chair
Other Organizations (Partial List):
CSBA Parent Involvement Task Force
Parent and Teacher Association – Vice President
American Youth Soccer Association – Registrar
Awards and Recognitions:
SDCOE Celebrating “Bi-literacy” Community Leadership Award
National University Community Leadership Award
“Hats Off to Teachers” San Diego County Office of Education
California Teachers Association – The
“WHO” Award
Consulting Teacher/PAR Mentor Teacher Leader
Tribute to Women in Industry (TWIN) Award
California Latino School Boards Association Unity Award
Association of Mexican American Educators – South Bay
Educator of Distinction Award
Blog posts re Bertha Lopez:
from Chula Vista Reporter
From SDER blog
from Chula Vista Reporter
From SDER blog
Bertha J. Lopez
November 6, 2012 Election
Smart Voter
Candidate for
Board Member; Sweetwater Union High School District; Seat 4
Biographical Highlights
Occupation: Teacher/Parent/Volunteer
University of California, San Diego -BA & Multiple Subjects Credential
National School District -36 years
UCSD - Chancellor's Community Advisory Board
Chula Vista Elementary School Trustee 1998-2008
California Selective Service Local Board
Awards: National University-" Community Leadership Award", San Diego County
"Hats Off to Teachers", CTA "WHO" award
...Key Endorsements
Cheryl Cox, Mayor of the City of Chula Vista
Norma Hernandez-Governing Board President-Southwestern Community College
Larry Cunningham - Governing Board - Chula Vista E.
School District
...Pam Smith, Chula Vista Elementary SD Board Member...
As a parent and educator, it has been my privilege to play an active role in the
lives of South Bay children, their parents, teachers and administrators. With over
36 years of service as a classroom teacher and reading specialist I have
developed a track record of success and experience that guide my current efforts
to impact student achievement. In addition, I have also served as a member of the
Chula Vista School Elementary District Board(1998-2008), extending my
experience and knowledge of the school system from a policy and management
perspective.
I am currently a member of the Sweetwater Union High School District Board, Seat
#4. With your continued support and guidance, I know that we can work together
so that all of our public middle schools and high schools are recognized as our
region's greatest asset.
I plan to continue my track record as being the voice for the community on the
board to promote and reach student success.
I am a consistent voice and advocate for reform and I believe that the success of
the students should be the District's top priority.
As a parent, I work hard to ensure that my son Marcos, who is now enrolled in a
Sweetwater District school, has the best education possible. I will work to offer all
students nothing less than what is available to my son. We must cooperate to
improve our schools, in every neighborhood, at every grade level...
November 6, 2012 Election
Smart Voter
Candidate for
Board Member; Sweetwater Union High School District; Seat 4
Biographical Highlights
Occupation: Teacher/Parent/Volunteer
University of California, San Diego -BA & Multiple Subjects Credential
National School District -36 years
UCSD - Chancellor's Community Advisory Board
Chula Vista Elementary School Trustee 1998-2008
California Selective Service Local Board
Awards: National University-" Community Leadership Award", San Diego County
"Hats Off to Teachers", CTA "WHO" award
...Key Endorsements
Cheryl Cox, Mayor of the City of Chula Vista
Norma Hernandez-Governing Board President-Southwestern Community College
Larry Cunningham - Governing Board - Chula Vista E.
School District
...Pam Smith, Chula Vista Elementary SD Board Member...
As a parent and educator, it has been my privilege to play an active role in the
lives of South Bay children, their parents, teachers and administrators. With over
36 years of service as a classroom teacher and reading specialist I have
developed a track record of success and experience that guide my current efforts
to impact student achievement. In addition, I have also served as a member of the
Chula Vista School Elementary District Board(1998-2008), extending my
experience and knowledge of the school system from a policy and management
perspective.
I am currently a member of the Sweetwater Union High School District Board, Seat
#4. With your continued support and guidance, I know that we can work together
so that all of our public middle schools and high schools are recognized as our
region's greatest asset.
I plan to continue my track record as being the voice for the community on the
board to promote and reach student success.
I am a consistent voice and advocate for reform and I believe that the success of
the students should be the District's top priority.
As a parent, I work hard to ensure that my son Marcos, who is now enrolled in a
Sweetwater District school, has the best education possible. I will work to offer all
students nothing less than what is available to my son. We must cooperate to
improve our schools, in every neighborhood, at every grade level...
Bertha Lopez won CTA's "Who" award
("We Honor Ours")
executive board member of CABE
November 6, 2012 Election
Smart Voter Bertha J. Lopez
Candidate for
Board Member; Sweetwater Union High School District; Seat
4
The information on this page is provided by the candidate.
The LWV neither supports nor opposes any political party or
candidate. Campaign Web Site
Website
Biographical Highlights
Occupation: Teacher/Parent/Volunteer
University of California, San Diego -BA & Multiple Subjects
Credential
National School District -36 years
UCSD - Chancellor's Community Advisory Board
Chula Vista Elementary School Trustee 1998-2008
California Selective Service Local Board
Awards: National University-" Community Leadership Award",
San Diego County "Hats Off to Teachers", CTA "WHO" award
<b>Key Endorsements
Cheryl Cox, Mayor of the City of Chula Vista</b>
Norma Hernandez-Governing Board President-Southwestern
Community College
Larry Cunningham - Governing Board - Chula Vista E.
School District
("We Honor Ours")
executive board member of CABE
November 6, 2012 Election
Smart Voter Bertha J. Lopez
Candidate for
Board Member; Sweetwater Union High School District; Seat
4
The information on this page is provided by the candidate.
The LWV neither supports nor opposes any political party or
candidate. Campaign Web Site
Website
Biographical Highlights
Occupation: Teacher/Parent/Volunteer
University of California, San Diego -BA & Multiple Subjects
Credential
National School District -36 years
UCSD - Chancellor's Community Advisory Board
Chula Vista Elementary School Trustee 1998-2008
California Selective Service Local Board
Awards: National University-" Community Leadership Award",
San Diego County "Hats Off to Teachers", CTA "WHO" award
<b>Key Endorsements
Cheryl Cox, Mayor of the City of Chula Vista</b>
Norma Hernandez-Governing Board President-Southwestern
Community College
Larry Cunningham - Governing Board - Chula Vista E.
School District
| San Diego Education Report |
| SDER |
San Diego
Education Report
Education Report
| SDER |
| SDER |
| SDER |
Bertha Lopez and Manuel Paul indicted, and, surprisingly, a
white male Republican: Sweetwater's Jim Cartmill
by Maura Larkins
Jan. 1, 2013
Sweetwater Union High School District board 2012
Back Row (Left to Right): Jim Cartmill, Dr. Ed Brand, superintendent, John McCann
Front Row (Left to Right): Bertha López, Arlie N. Ricasa, Pearl Quiñones
I am shocked. Bonnie Dumanis' Public Integrity Unit has indicted a white male Republican.
Jim Cartmill has learned the hard way that he can't count on Bonnie anymore. But the D.A.
has spent years going after people in the South Bay that Jim Cartmill wanted to destroy
politically, so he should man up and pay the piper.
After being indicted, former CVESD trustee Bertha Lopez (currently on the Sweetwater
Union High School District board) said she has nothing to hide. In fact, she has been
covering-up crimes at Chula Elementary School District for over ten years, along with
CVESD board members Pamela Smith and Larry Cunningham. Teachers were pressured
to perjure themselves to conceal the wrongdoing of Bertha and her fellow board members.
The board included Pat Judd and current Chula Vista mayor Cheryl Cox.
The Union Tribune has long been a fan of Bertha Lopez.
Regarding Bertha Lopez:
"According to court documents, a contractor paid for Lopez and eight guests to attend an
award ceremony hosted by the YWCA in 2009, which she did not disclose on state-
mandated forms. She and her husband were also at Morton’s with Amigable and Paul,
according to court documents, and she failed to report the meal on state forms."
3 more indicted in South Bay corruption probe
San Ysidro superintendent is among the new targets of the DA's investigation
Aaron Burgin
UTSD
Dec. 31, 2012
A probe into corruption among South Bay school leaders
has widened to include another district, with indictments
against three additional officials.
A grand jury has indicted San Ysidro School District
Superintendent Manuel Paul and Sweetwater Union
High School District board members Jim Cartmill and
Bertha Lopez, according to a criminal defense attorney
who represents all three.
Two other Sweetwater school board members were
charged a year ago, along with a former board member
and former Superintendent Jesus Gandara. Manuel Paul
Attorney James Pokorny, who represents Paul, Lopez and Cartmill, said the grand jury has
indicted them on multiple felony and misdemeanor counts including perjury, filing false
documents, accepting gifts and bribery. He said they maintain their innocence.
“My take on this is that DA believes that they can target people in the community that have
given their energy and lives for betterment of students and that they can topple these
people and cripple them from running for office ever again,” he said. “Knowing the people
the way that I do, I don’t buy what they are accused of, and I don’t think a jury will either.”
The District Attorney’s office declined to comment on the case.
Pokorny said he received a letter from the District Attorney’s office notifying him that his
clients had been indicted, but has not seen the full indictment. He said that Lopez faces 19
felony and misdemeanor counts, Cartmill faces 10 counts and Paul faces six.
Paul admitted in a June deposition in an unrelated lawsuit that he had taken $2,500 in cash
from a contractor seeking work from his district. He said the handoff in the parking lot of a
steak house was a campaign contribution for a school board member.
It is not clear if the indictment stems from that incident, which has been under review
separately by a federal grand jury.
Paul’s name has already appeared in some documents related to the Sweetwater
corruption investigation, in which prosecutors are alleging meals, sporting events, plays
and other considerations were exchanged for multimillion dollar construction contracts.
Paul and his wife, for instance, are listed in court documents as guests at a $1,700 meal at
Morton’s steakhouse in July 2008 hosted by contractor Henry Amigable.
Other guests included three of those facing charges in Sweetwater — Gandara, former
board member Greg Sandoval and current trustee Pearl Quiñones. They have all pleaded
not guilty.
Amigable pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in May and is cooperating with county
prosecutors.
Lopez and Cartmill largely stayed out of the fray as their colleagues were charged a year
ago, although Lopez’s home was raided a year ago and she has been questioned in
connection with the case.
“The district attorney is doing their job and I don’t have anything to hide,” Lopez said the
day of the raid. “That is the bottom line.”
According to court documents, a contractor paid for Lopez and eight guests to attend an
award ceremony hosted by the YWCA in 2009, which she did not disclose on state-
mandated forms. She and her husband were also at Morton’s with Amigable and Paul,
according to court documents, and she failed to report the meal on state forms.
Maura Larkins update Jan. 16, 2013:
I found another white male Republican that Bonnie has indicted. The case is
discussed in this article about the bizarre and unsuccessful prosecution of Steve
Castaneda:
HIGH STAKES IN CORRUPTION PROBE
DA aims to regain credibility after unsuccessful prosecution while South Bay figures fight
stereotypes
By Aaron Burgin & Katherine Poythress
U-T
JAN. 12, 2013
...Since 2007, only one case lodged by the unit against an elected official has resulted in
criminal punishment. Former Encinitas Councilman Dan Dalager was fined $1,000 in 2011
after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor conflict-of-interest charge stemming from
accepting deeply discounted appliances from a store owner, then voting in the owner’s
favor in a dispute with the city. His case was prosecuted after the transaction was exposed
by The Watchdog. A lot is riding on the outcome of the latest cases, also sparked by initial
reports from The Watchdog about the relationships between contractors and officials in
South County...
white male Republican: Sweetwater's Jim Cartmill
by Maura Larkins
Jan. 1, 2013
Sweetwater Union High School District board 2012
Back Row (Left to Right): Jim Cartmill, Dr. Ed Brand, superintendent, John McCann
Front Row (Left to Right): Bertha López, Arlie N. Ricasa, Pearl Quiñones
I am shocked. Bonnie Dumanis' Public Integrity Unit has indicted a white male Republican.
Jim Cartmill has learned the hard way that he can't count on Bonnie anymore. But the D.A.
has spent years going after people in the South Bay that Jim Cartmill wanted to destroy
politically, so he should man up and pay the piper.
After being indicted, former CVESD trustee Bertha Lopez (currently on the Sweetwater
Union High School District board) said she has nothing to hide. In fact, she has been
covering-up crimes at Chula Elementary School District for over ten years, along with
CVESD board members Pamela Smith and Larry Cunningham. Teachers were pressured
to perjure themselves to conceal the wrongdoing of Bertha and her fellow board members.
The board included Pat Judd and current Chula Vista mayor Cheryl Cox.
The Union Tribune has long been a fan of Bertha Lopez.
Regarding Bertha Lopez:
"According to court documents, a contractor paid for Lopez and eight guests to attend an
award ceremony hosted by the YWCA in 2009, which she did not disclose on state-
mandated forms. She and her husband were also at Morton’s with Amigable and Paul,
according to court documents, and she failed to report the meal on state forms."
3 more indicted in South Bay corruption probe
San Ysidro superintendent is among the new targets of the DA's investigation
Aaron Burgin
UTSD
Dec. 31, 2012
A probe into corruption among South Bay school leaders
has widened to include another district, with indictments
against three additional officials.
A grand jury has indicted San Ysidro School District
Superintendent Manuel Paul and Sweetwater Union
High School District board members Jim Cartmill and
Bertha Lopez, according to a criminal defense attorney
who represents all three.
Two other Sweetwater school board members were
charged a year ago, along with a former board member
and former Superintendent Jesus Gandara. Manuel Paul
Attorney James Pokorny, who represents Paul, Lopez and Cartmill, said the grand jury has
indicted them on multiple felony and misdemeanor counts including perjury, filing false
documents, accepting gifts and bribery. He said they maintain their innocence.
“My take on this is that DA believes that they can target people in the community that have
given their energy and lives for betterment of students and that they can topple these
people and cripple them from running for office ever again,” he said. “Knowing the people
the way that I do, I don’t buy what they are accused of, and I don’t think a jury will either.”
The District Attorney’s office declined to comment on the case.
Pokorny said he received a letter from the District Attorney’s office notifying him that his
clients had been indicted, but has not seen the full indictment. He said that Lopez faces 19
felony and misdemeanor counts, Cartmill faces 10 counts and Paul faces six.
Paul admitted in a June deposition in an unrelated lawsuit that he had taken $2,500 in cash
from a contractor seeking work from his district. He said the handoff in the parking lot of a
steak house was a campaign contribution for a school board member.
It is not clear if the indictment stems from that incident, which has been under review
separately by a federal grand jury.
Paul’s name has already appeared in some documents related to the Sweetwater
corruption investigation, in which prosecutors are alleging meals, sporting events, plays
and other considerations were exchanged for multimillion dollar construction contracts.
Paul and his wife, for instance, are listed in court documents as guests at a $1,700 meal at
Morton’s steakhouse in July 2008 hosted by contractor Henry Amigable.
Other guests included three of those facing charges in Sweetwater — Gandara, former
board member Greg Sandoval and current trustee Pearl Quiñones. They have all pleaded
not guilty.
Amigable pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in May and is cooperating with county
prosecutors.
Lopez and Cartmill largely stayed out of the fray as their colleagues were charged a year
ago, although Lopez’s home was raided a year ago and she has been questioned in
connection with the case.
“The district attorney is doing their job and I don’t have anything to hide,” Lopez said the
day of the raid. “That is the bottom line.”
According to court documents, a contractor paid for Lopez and eight guests to attend an
award ceremony hosted by the YWCA in 2009, which she did not disclose on state-
mandated forms. She and her husband were also at Morton’s with Amigable and Paul,
according to court documents, and she failed to report the meal on state forms.
Maura Larkins update Jan. 16, 2013:
I found another white male Republican that Bonnie has indicted. The case is
discussed in this article about the bizarre and unsuccessful prosecution of Steve
Castaneda:
HIGH STAKES IN CORRUPTION PROBE
DA aims to regain credibility after unsuccessful prosecution while South Bay figures fight
stereotypes
By Aaron Burgin & Katherine Poythress
U-T
JAN. 12, 2013
...Since 2007, only one case lodged by the unit against an elected official has resulted in
criminal punishment. Former Encinitas Councilman Dan Dalager was fined $1,000 in 2011
after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor conflict-of-interest charge stemming from
accepting deeply discounted appliances from a store owner, then voting in the owner’s
favor in a dispute with the city. His case was prosecuted after the transaction was exposed
by The Watchdog. A lot is riding on the outcome of the latest cases, also sparked by initial
reports from The Watchdog about the relationships between contractors and officials in
South County...
Bertha Lopez failed to do
due diligence at Castle
Park Elementary, so what
exactly was she doing at
Sweetwater Union High
School District?
due diligence at Castle
Park Elementary, so what
exactly was she doing at
Sweetwater Union High
School District?
Bertha Lopez pleads guilty at last
Convictions wrap up South County probe
By Greg Moran and Allison Sampite-Montecalvo
SDUT
April 24, 2014
SOUTH COUNTY — Two more Sweetwater school board members pleaded guilty Thursday
to minor charges in the South County political corruption investigation, effectively ending a
case once described as the worst corruption scandal in a decade on a muted note.
Board President Jim Cartmill and trustee Bertha Lopez each pleaded guilty to a
misdemeanor charge of accepting gifts over the state limit. They will be sentenced in June.
At least until then it appears they will remain as trustees of the Sweetwater Union High
School District board under a finding made by Superior Court Judge Ana Espana. The
charge that Cartmill and Lopez admitted to does not require them to resign their seats and
at the request of defense lawyers Espana made a finding that each was “authorized” to
continue serving on the board.
That could change at sentencing, however. Under state law each could be required to step
down and be barred from being a candidate or lobbyist for four years — unless at the time
of sentencing the judge specifically rules otherwise.
Cartmill is to be sentenced on June 3 and Lopez June 9. Cartmill’s term on the board expires
in November, and Lopez’s in 2016.
Both Cartmill and Lopez stood calmly next to their lawyers during the brief hearing,
answering “yes” to several routine questions posed to them by the judge. They each left the
courthouse without commenting. Prosecutors also did not comment publicly after the
hearing.
The pleas effectively close the corruption case against 18 elected officials, administrators
and contractors in three South County school districts launched by District Attorney Bonnie
Dumanis in January 2012. Teachers and parents said the cloud of the investigation,
convictions and resignations have taken a toll on the district.
”It is reflecting on the whole district,” said Martha Reyes, a teacher at the National City Adult
School who has been with the district for nine years. “Everything was so positive and now I’ll
be quiet and won’t even say where I work because of a lot of negative publicity.”
The guilty pleas and judge’s ruling also at least postpones thrusting the Sweetwater board
into an unusual predicament.
If Cartmill and Lopez had to resign immediately, that would leave the state’s largest
secondary school district without quorum on the governing board to conduct business. Two
others board members — Pearl Quiñones and Arlie Ricasa — have already resigned as a
result of guilty pleas in the investigation.
District Superintendent Ed Brand said district officials were confused by the ruling because
they believed a conviction would result in resignations.
“We’re still going to need some clarification because prior to these events we had some
(legal) counsel look at the (education) code and board policy and went through some
hypotheticals,” he said. “Based on their input I was led to believe that whether it was a
misdemeanor or felony … once the plea was made whoever was involved would have to
step down.”
Brand said while he was expecting a different outcome, the district will respectfully follow the
law.
Convictions wrap up South County probe
By Greg Moran and Allison Sampite-Montecalvo
SDUT
April 24, 2014
SOUTH COUNTY — Two more Sweetwater school board members pleaded guilty Thursday
to minor charges in the South County political corruption investigation, effectively ending a
case once described as the worst corruption scandal in a decade on a muted note.
Board President Jim Cartmill and trustee Bertha Lopez each pleaded guilty to a
misdemeanor charge of accepting gifts over the state limit. They will be sentenced in June.
At least until then it appears they will remain as trustees of the Sweetwater Union High
School District board under a finding made by Superior Court Judge Ana Espana. The
charge that Cartmill and Lopez admitted to does not require them to resign their seats and
at the request of defense lawyers Espana made a finding that each was “authorized” to
continue serving on the board.
That could change at sentencing, however. Under state law each could be required to step
down and be barred from being a candidate or lobbyist for four years — unless at the time
of sentencing the judge specifically rules otherwise.
Cartmill is to be sentenced on June 3 and Lopez June 9. Cartmill’s term on the board expires
in November, and Lopez’s in 2016.
Both Cartmill and Lopez stood calmly next to their lawyers during the brief hearing,
answering “yes” to several routine questions posed to them by the judge. They each left the
courthouse without commenting. Prosecutors also did not comment publicly after the
hearing.
The pleas effectively close the corruption case against 18 elected officials, administrators
and contractors in three South County school districts launched by District Attorney Bonnie
Dumanis in January 2012. Teachers and parents said the cloud of the investigation,
convictions and resignations have taken a toll on the district.
”It is reflecting on the whole district,” said Martha Reyes, a teacher at the National City Adult
School who has been with the district for nine years. “Everything was so positive and now I’ll
be quiet and won’t even say where I work because of a lot of negative publicity.”
The guilty pleas and judge’s ruling also at least postpones thrusting the Sweetwater board
into an unusual predicament.
If Cartmill and Lopez had to resign immediately, that would leave the state’s largest
secondary school district without quorum on the governing board to conduct business. Two
others board members — Pearl Quiñones and Arlie Ricasa — have already resigned as a
result of guilty pleas in the investigation.
District Superintendent Ed Brand said district officials were confused by the ruling because
they believed a conviction would result in resignations.
“We’re still going to need some clarification because prior to these events we had some
(legal) counsel look at the (education) code and board policy and went through some
hypotheticals,” he said. “Based on their input I was led to believe that whether it was a
misdemeanor or felony … once the plea was made whoever was involved would have to
step down.”
Brand said while he was expecting a different outcome, the district will respectfully follow the
law.
Bertha Lopez pleads guilty to an underwhelming charge while
Jason Moore asks for justice: perhaps getting rid of Bonnie
Dumanis would be the best way to improve public integrity in
San Diego
Current Sweetwater Union High School District trustee
Bertha Lopez pled guilty on April 24, 2014 to an extremely
small-potatoes transgression: accepting a gift over the limit.
It seems clear that District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis never
intended to go after serious corruption in schools.
I'm not saying Bertha Lopez is an angel. Far from it.
For years I've been complaining about her illegal actions
on behalf of Chula Vista Elementary School District.
My problem is that I think Dumanis went after Bertha for the wrong reasons. The reasons
were pathetic. But at least there was some actual misbehavior underlying the charges
against Bertha Lopez. Dumanis went after other targets for purely political reasons.
Dumanis pursued preposterous perjury charges against Jason Moore and Steve
Castaneda apparently because they dared to interfere with the political ascent of Chula
Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox. Meanwhile, Dumanis ignored a boatload of perjury committed to
cover-up wrongdoing by Cheryl Cox herself, as well as Cheryl's fellow Chula Vista
Elementary School District trustees Bertha Lopez, Pamela Smith, Larry Cunningham and
Patrick Judd in the Maura Larkins v. CVESD case.
Even the Sheriff of Santa Barbara admitted that his office signed a false declaration in
that case. Some examples of others who committed perjury can be found HERE and
HERE.
Dumanis has been careful not to go after any of the truly powerful players in the San
Diego education establishment.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports: "Two more Sweetwater school board members
pleaded guilty Thursday to minor charges in the South County political corruption
investigation, effectively ending a case once described as the worst corruption scandal in
a decade on a muted note. Board President Jim Cartmill and trustee Bertha Lopez each
pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of accepting gifts over the state limit. They will
be sentenced in June."
Jason Moore asks for justice: perhaps getting rid of Bonnie
Dumanis would be the best way to improve public integrity in
San Diego
Current Sweetwater Union High School District trustee
Bertha Lopez pled guilty on April 24, 2014 to an extremely
small-potatoes transgression: accepting a gift over the limit.
It seems clear that District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis never
intended to go after serious corruption in schools.
I'm not saying Bertha Lopez is an angel. Far from it.
For years I've been complaining about her illegal actions
on behalf of Chula Vista Elementary School District.
My problem is that I think Dumanis went after Bertha for the wrong reasons. The reasons
were pathetic. But at least there was some actual misbehavior underlying the charges
against Bertha Lopez. Dumanis went after other targets for purely political reasons.
Dumanis pursued preposterous perjury charges against Jason Moore and Steve
Castaneda apparently because they dared to interfere with the political ascent of Chula
Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox. Meanwhile, Dumanis ignored a boatload of perjury committed to
cover-up wrongdoing by Cheryl Cox herself, as well as Cheryl's fellow Chula Vista
Elementary School District trustees Bertha Lopez, Pamela Smith, Larry Cunningham and
Patrick Judd in the Maura Larkins v. CVESD case.
Even the Sheriff of Santa Barbara admitted that his office signed a false declaration in
that case. Some examples of others who committed perjury can be found HERE and
HERE.
Dumanis has been careful not to go after any of the truly powerful players in the San
Diego education establishment.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports: "Two more Sweetwater school board members
pleaded guilty Thursday to minor charges in the South County political corruption
investigation, effectively ending a case once described as the worst corruption scandal in
a decade on a muted note. Board President Jim Cartmill and trustee Bertha Lopez each
pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of accepting gifts over the state limit. They will
be sentenced in June."
