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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 Leland 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 he believed 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 felony counts 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, during which time he oversaw the district’s then-three campuses, Cañada College in Woodside, Skyline College in San Bruno and the College of San Mateo.
During the trial, prosecutors alleged that he took kickbacks from district contractors and went on luxury trips without disclosing them. Some of the charges also stem from allegations involving his personal tax returns, including claiming 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.
Editor’s note: Judge Leland Davis’ first name was misspelled in an earlier version of this story and has been corrected.
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As a reporter who interviewed this man more than once in his capacity as chancellor, I recall his attitude as that of an unabashed wheeler dealer. He was willing to shade the truth — not to lie but to equivocate — on issues around keeping voters well informed as to the disposition of construction bond funds, as required by law. It left me with the equivalent of a bad taste in my mouth.
I tried looking into investigating his process of awarding contracts, but had to give it up. Investigative reporting is time consuming and was all but impossible as an insufficiently skilled reporter with multiple beats for a small newspaper. But he left in me an aroma of misconduct …
It’s not surprising that the judge upbraided him on his attitude, at his sentencing no less.
Look at photo of the cop putting the handcuffs on the that lying guy. if he was a person of color, that cop have being trying to slam him on the table saying to stop resisting trying to make a seen. (unbelievable).
Mr. Cobb: The Deputy Sheriff with the handcuffs is “double locking” the cuffs which is standard practice and is done with all arrestees for their safety regardless of their personal background. His supervisor is directly next to him. To educate yourself, you can check on Sheriff’s Office transparency as their procedures are online. Lastly, you will see a person of color in that photo, and it is a portrait of the Rev. M.L. King which was placed in that courtroom by the judge, to remind people about the “…content of their character.”