Compton School Official Pleads Innocent to Charge of Bribery
The president of the Compton Community College Board of Trustees pleaded innocent Thursday to one felony count of bribery, which he says resulted from a misunderstanding over a campaign contribution.
Carl Robinson, 50, was arraigned by Municipal Judge Ramona Godoy Perez, who set May 9 as the date to decide when a preliminary hearing will be held for Robinson, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Edward Ferns.
Robinson remained free on $3,000 bail.
An 18-year veteran with the U.S. Postal Service, Robinson was arrested March 21 after allegedly accepting a bribe from Rolland Boceta, the head of a West Covina accounting firm that was hoping to renew a three-year, $92,000 contract with the college.
Allegedly Sought $1,000
Robinson allegedly sought $1,000 from Boceta, who informed the authorities of the alleged solicitation and agreed to cooperate in an investigation, Ferns said.
But Robinson’s attorney, Dudley W. Gray II, said his client thought Boceta was contributing to Robinson’s reelection campaign. Boceta had established a pattern of contributing to Robinson’s campaigns by donating $100 to Robinson’s unsuccessful bid for a City Council seat last year, Gray said.
Ferns said Boceta gave Robinson $1,000 in the parking lot of a Wilmington restaurant.
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