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On Friday, Ronald Galatolo was sentenced to eight months in county jail after he was convicted of eight felonies for falsifying financial disclosures and tax filings and failing to properly report income and gifts stemming from his role as the San Mateo County Community College District chancellor.
Superior Court Judge Lelond Davis III said he had “extreme difficulties” believing that Galatolo was remorseful at the sentencing on July 31. The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office had sought prison time for Galatolo while his attorney, Charles Smith III, asked for probation.
In addition to eight months in jail, Galatolo will be required to complete two years of probation and complete 100 hours of community service. Davis ordered the community service be performed in a Latino community. “I’m sure you know why,” the judge added.
Following sentencing, Smith told members of the press that it was likely a reference to allegations made by a friend of Galatolo’s ex-wife who said that Galatolo made a comment about Mexican students not paying tuition. That testimony was excluded from evidence during the trial.
Galatolo, who was facing a maximum sentence of seven years and four months in prison, was taken into custody immediately after the hearing.
The defendant Ronald Galatolo during his sentencing at the Hall of Justice and Records in Redwood City on July 31, 2026. Photo by Michael Molcsan. 
Defendant Ronald Galatolo wipes his eyes with his fingers during his sentencing at the Hall of Justice and Records in Redwood City on July 31, 2026. Photo by Michael Molcsan. 
A San Mateo County deputy bailiff places handcuffs on Ronald Galatolo following his sentencing at the Hall of Justice and Records in Redwood City on July 31, 2026. Photo by Michael Molcsan.
Davis said during the hearing that he felt Galatolo was not taking responsibility for his actions. Referring to a presentencing statement Galatolo wrote where he said he should have been more “diligent,” Davis said, “The word you are looking for is honest, not diligent.”
“I have to say sir, there were no feelings behind your words,” Davis told Galatolo.
After a trial lasting more than 40 days, a jury convicted Galatolo of four counts of falsifying tax documents and four counts of perjury. The jury deadlocked on 18 other felonies and found him not guilty of one felony count of perjury.
Galatolo was chancellor of the San Mateo County Community College District from 2001 to 2019 where he oversaw the district’s then-three campuses, Cañada College in Woodside, Skyline College in San Bruno and the College of San Mateo.
During his time at the district, prosecutors allege he took kickbacks from district contractors and went on luxury trips without disclosing them. Some of the charges also stem from his personal tax returns, including when he claimed a donation made by the college on his personal taxes.
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe decided not to retry Galatolo on the deadlocked felony charges in March. Prior to Friday’s sentencing hearing, Davis denied a motion from Galatolo seeking a new trial and to reduce the charges against him to misdemeanors.
