A former school administrator prosecuted for a felony conflict of interest charge agreed Tuesday to pay the Natomas Unified School District $32,553.
Frank C. Harding Jr. agreed in Sacramento Superior Court to the restitution payment.
Don Steed of the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office said of Harding's decision, "I believe the district was entitled to it and Harding knew it."
When he was district facilities chief, Harding awarded no-bid contracts to a construction management company in which he had a financial stake – a felony offense.
Harding sold his construction management business in 2004 to his friend and partner Michael Cannon for $32,533 in order to take the Natomas job. At the same time Cannon was writing checks to Harding for the business, Harding was awarding Natomas school district contracts to Cannon.
Harding pleaded no contest in June to one felony conflict-of-interest charge and was sentenced to 526 hours of community service.
Natomas parents and community activists attended Tuesday's court action. They vowed to push for even more restitution from Harding and Cannon.
Under the law, any taxpayer can ask the court to nullify the eight contracts worth $433,500 Harding granted Cannon.
"We're going to get Natomas taxpayers to look at the possibility of getting that money back for the students," said parent Briza Trujillo.
Call The Bee's Terri Hardy, (916) 321-1073.
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