No Jail Time for Contractor in School Corruption Scandal

A construction company executive who provided more than $10,000 in meals and tickets to shows like Jersey Boys to members of the Sweetwater Union High School District to influence the school board's decisions in granting construction contracts was sentenced Friday to three years probation and ordered to do 100 hours of volunteer work.

Henry Amigable, 48, pleaded guilty a year ago to a misdemeanor charge of giving something of value to a member of a school governing board.

He faced a maximum of six months in jail.

Defense attorney Dan Greene told Judge Michael Smyth that Amigable accepted responsibility at an early stage of the case and "has done everything in his power to help make amends."

Deputy District Attorney Leon Schorr agreed, telling the judge that Amigable has cooperated with his office in the investigation.

Smyth called the case "serious," but said Amigable has shown humility and remorse for his actions, noting that the crime has caused the defendant to be out of work.

While working for Gilbane Building Company, Amigable bought more than $10,000 in dinners for Sweetwater Union High School District officials that weren't reported, violating Political Reform Act requirements.

Amigable also bought tickets to the Jersey Boys show and made a donation to the National Latino Education Fund for Sweetwater school officials.

Click here to see a list of ways Amigable wined and dined school officials, according to search warrants issued in 2011.

Amigable was charged last year along with former SUHSD Superintendent Jesus Gandara, trustees Arlie Ricasa and Pearl Quinones and former board member Greg Sandoval.

They, along with 11 other defendants from the San Ysidro School District and Southwestern Community College District, were subsequently indicted by a county grand jury.

Arraignments are scheduled April 12 at the South Bay Courthouse.

Also charged in the indictments handed down in December are current Sweetwater board members James Cartmill and Bertha Lopez, as well as San Ysidro School District Superintendent Manuel Paul and former Southwestern College Superintendent and President Raj Chopra.

4 of 5 current Sweetwater School Board members face charges.

For years, the public officials regularly accepted what amounted to bribes–trips, fancy dinners–in exchange for their votes on multimillion- dollar construction projects, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis alleged.

City News Service contributed to this report.