2 Indicted Over Use of School Funding

SAN DIEGO —  A political consultant and a former community college president were indicted Friday on federal charges for allegedly funneling public money improperly into a campaign to win voter approval for a bond issue.

Larry Remer, whose clients have included local political figures, and former Southwestern College President Serafin Zasueta were indicted on wire fraud and theft offenses for allegedly using $5,890.47 of the college’s money to pay a group hired by Remer to produce a television commercial.

“Allowing private parties to raid already scarce educational funds is simply unacceptable,” U.S. Atty. Carol Lam said in announcing the indictment. “These funds deserve to be protected and we will protect them.”

Remer said he has a legal opinion from election law expert Fredric D. Woocher asserting that the arrangement involving the commercial was within legal guidelines that allow public entities to fund “informational” campaigns. He accused Lam of cooperating with a Bush administration political vendetta.

“This is not a prosecution; it’s a persecution,” Remer said. “The U.S. attorney knows I haven’t committed any crimes.... The Justice Department is targeting Democrats all over the country.”

Proposition AA, passed by voters in 2000, provided an $89-million bond issue for Southwestern College, located in Chula Vista. School bond elections have been a specialty of Remer’s firm, the Primacy Group.

Remer’s clients have included successful candidates for local offices such as district attorney and the San Diego City Council. After a grand jury this year began investigating the 2000 bond election, Remer resigned as consultant to the mayoral campaign of San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts.

Two of Remer’s clients, San Diego councilmen Charles Lewis and Ralph Inzunza, were indicted last year for allegedly taking bribes from a local nude dancing establishment. Lewis died two weeks ago; Inzunza awaits trial.

Zasueta was fired by the college board of trustees last year amid controversy over his tenure and the handling of the Proposition AA campaign.