San Diego
A retired San Diego Unified Port District Harbor Police lieutenant pleaded guilty Friday in Municipal Court to one count of felony grand theft for his part in a purchasing scandal that prosecutors say cost the public agency more than $1 million.
William Clair, who worked 18 years for the Port District, pleaded guilty to the theft count as part of a plea agreement with the district attorney’s office. In return, the district attorney dropped another felony theft count and a felony conspiracy charge.
Clair, 59, is the first person to plead guilty since an investigation into purchasing irregularities at the port. The scheme is believed to involve several individuals.
Prosecutors say the Port District paid $6,900 for a $3,380 fence and $5,600 for a $4,135 patio built at Clair’s Ramona home. The port also paid for service on his private car, prosecutors say.
As part of the plea agreement, Clair will pay back at least $4,100, as well as an undetermined amount stemming from the two charges that were dropped. Clair is to be sentenced Feb. 28. He faces a year in County Jail and a maximum fine of $10,000.
Clair retired from the Harbor Police in April, 1987.
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