While employed with the Rancho Santiago CCD, two senior administrators served at the same time as directors of a Hawaii based insurance company that received millions of dollars in premiums from the college district for bond construction insurance related to the $337 million Measure E. There were never votes recorded or minutes of any kind memorializing this company’s involvement with the RSCCD.
Tag: Peter Hardash
Posted inInvestigative
These Community College Retirees Say Bad District Leadership Put Their Healthcare in Peril
Rancho Santiago community college district leaders say the new health care plan switch will save taxpayers millions and help future retirees. Yet current retirees are raising questions about how the deals were cut and why costs are going up.
Posted inCountywide, News Briefs, Top Stories
End of an Elmahrek
After more than six years of holding the powerful accountable in Orange County, Adam Elmahrek is leaving for the Los Angeles Times.
Posted inInvestigative, News Briefs, Santa Ana
Rancho Santiago Community College District Adopts Gift Ban
The ban follows a Voice of OC series that revealed lavish gifts given to a high-level district official by district contractors. District trustees say the ban is a model for other community college districts to follow.
Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Top Stories
Hooray! It’s Form 700 Day
Every April 1, public officials are required to file public statements of economic interest. It’s a most wonderful day for journalists as we find the myriad ways in which some of our leaders exploit their public offices for personal gain.
Posted inCountywide, Economy, Investigative, Top Stories
Grand Jury Investigating Community College District
Sources confirmed they were called in for interviews by the grand jury as part of an ongoing probe of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. The FBI is also asking questions.
Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Santa Ana
Proposed Gift Ban Stalls at Rancho Santiago as Criticism Mounts
Board trustees at the Rancho Santiago Community College District are arguing over how strict a new gift ban should be. Meanwhile, Orange County ethics watchdog Shirley Grindle said the current proposal is “very weak.”
Posted inCountywide, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Rancho Santiago Chancellor: Official Taking Gifts From Contractors Is ‘Good Networking’
While staying mum publicly, Rancho Santiago Community College District Chancellor Raul Rodriguez said in emails that he approves of a vice chancellor taking thousands of dollars in gifts from district contractors.
Posted inCountywide, Santa Ana, Top Stories
College District Leaders to Review Travel, Gift Rules
The review by the Rancho Santiago Community College District board follows a Voice of OC series that showed how officials took thousands of dollars in gifts from district contractors and traveled in luxury on the taxpayers’ dime.
Posted inCountywide, Education, Investigative, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Fast Times at Rancho Santiago: Official’s Passion for Golf Pays Dividends for Contractors
Peter Hardash, the Rancho Santiago Community College District’s vice chancellor of business operations, has received thousands of dollars in golf trips from vendors who’ve been given millions in district contracts.
