​Former Bassett Unified Supt., Construction Firm CEO Charged in Bribery, Laundering Scheme

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office formally charged two people August 23 in a scheme to bilk more than $1 million from a voter-approved bond measure for the Bassett Unified School District.

Former Bassett Unified School District Superintendent Alejandro Rojas and Del Terra CEO Luis Rojas were charged at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center with 12 counts of money laundering and one count each of soliciting a bribe and grand theft by embezzlement. Alejandro Rojas was additionally charged with three counts of perjury and one count of conflict of interest, according to the DA’s Office.

“Between April 2015 and September 2016, Alex Rojas allegedly approved more than $1 million in Del Terra invoices for work that was never done,” according to the DA’s Office in a written statement.

The $30 million bond measure was earmarked for construction and program management services at the district.

Alex Rojas served as the district superintendent between April 2014 and May 2017. Luis Rojas was CEO of Del Terra, which had been hired to oversee school district construction projects, according to the DA’s Office.
 
“Illegally diverting voter-approved bond money from schools not only deprives our children of already scarce resources but also diminishes the public’s trust in and support for our educational institutions,” according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Gascón in a written statement. “Rooting out public corruption is a priority for my office and will help us to maintain our community’s faith in a government that fairly and honestly serves all of its constituents.”

Arraignment is scheduled for October 26.