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Justice should not depend on one’s status
Editor,
The eight-month jail sentence imposed on former San Mateo County Community College Chancellor Ron Galatolo has shaken my confidence in our local judicial system.
A jury convicted Mr. Galatolo of eight felony counts involving perjury and tax fraud. According to published reports, both the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office and the Probation Department recommended a state prison sentence. Judge Leland Davis instead imposed just eight months in county jail, with the likelihood that Galatolo will serve only about four months.
As a former mayor, I understand that judges have discretion. But discretion must also preserve public confidence in the principle that everyone is equal before the law.
When a prominent public official convicted of multiple felonies, such as Ron Galatolo, receives what I and many, many others view as an exceptionally lenient sentence, ordinary citizens are left asking whether justice is truly blind. A further question is:What oversight exists for judicial sentencing decisions? Who does Judge Davis report to? Are there any mechanisms for reviewing sentencing decisions, even if they are legally within a judge’s discretion?
As an African American, I cannot help but wonder whether an ordinary working-class defendant or a person of color convicted of the same offenses would have received the same outcome.
That question alone should concern all of us. Cases like this raise questions about whether we need an independent review of court policies and procedures.
As a strong proponent of oversight, here is another taxpayer-funded function that taxpayers have little to no say over.
Wake up, San Mateo County, we have work to do. Titles do not make the man, but wow, they really count in our court system!
They fool us into thinking our local judicial system is fair, consistent, and worthy of the public’s trust … but like former U.S. President Ronald Reagan said, “Trust, but verify.” This is and should be a major disappointment to all of us – with or without status.
Jim Lawrence
Former Mayor, Foster City
Chair, Fixin San Mateo County
