San Mateo, CA – San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) today reconfirmed its ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and student success with the announcement by the Criminal Grand Jury in the case of former chancellor Ron Galatolo. The District has cooperated and will continue to cooperate with the criminal investigation into Galatolo. 

SMCCCD will also continue to pursue its civil lawsuit against construction firms and contractors, alleging that these firms gave Galatolo gifts in exchange for lucrative District contracts. The law firms of Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP and Goethals & Stone, PC have been pursuing the case for nearly two years, and trial is currently set for June 23, 2025. 

“We believe San Mateo County taxpayers and the community college district are the victims of fraud,” said SMCCCD Board President John Pimentel. “Our civil suit is designed to hold those alleged to be involved in fraudulent acts responsible for their actions.” 

Media Contact: David McLain, Interim Executive Director, Community & Government Relations, SMCCCD (650) 730-8049 or mclaind@smccd.edu  

About San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD): SMCCCD operates three colleges, Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College, that provide community college educational services to the residents of San Mateo County. The District’s colleges serve over 30,000 students annually and offer the first two years of college-level instruction in various transfer and career-technical programs. The District is governed by a six-member Board of Trustees, with five voting members elected by voters from designated areas of the County and one nonvoting student member elected by students.  Learn more at: smccd.edu.