Consultant Pleads Guilty in Port District Theft Case

A computer consultant pleaded guilty Monday to grand theft in the false billing of equipment and his services to the San Diego Unified Port District.

Ronald Barry Lewis, 45, of Spring Valley pleaded guilty to two counts of grand theft just as his preliminary hearing was set to begin before Municipal Judge Frederick Link. The judge set sentencing for Nov. 16 and Lewis remains free on his own recognizance.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Lantz Lewis, who is not related to the defendant, said Lewis could be sentenced to a maximum of three years, eight months in state prison. Prosecutor Lewis said there is no agreement that defendant Lewis will serve less time.

The defendant pleaded guilty to billing the Port District for computer equipment purchased June 26, 1986, from a Sears store for $2,491. He also pleaded guilty to falsely billing the Port District for consulting services not provided and for office furniture.

According to court records, Lewis operated his computer consultant business under the name of ATC Specialties and had an agreement with the Port District to provide consulting services. However, that agreement only lasted from mid-1986 to June, 1987, according to court records.

Lewis was the seventh defendant to be charged in the scheme, in which losses to the Port District were estimated at $700,000. He is the third defendant to plead guilty.

Prosecutor Lewis said he was surprised by the plea but “very pleased” with the outcome.

According to the charges filed against Lewis on June 7, Lewis was introduced into the scheme by the alleged mastermind, Rudi Enriques, 37, of La Mesa, who was a parking meter collector for the Port District.

Enriques, Richard Cersosimo, 48, of El Cajon, who was the Port District’s former purchasing director, and Paul Manes, 48, a former NAPA auto parts store manager, will go on trial Nov. 13.

Ronald Lewis had been charged with conspiring to defraud the Port District and with five other grand theft counts, but those charges were dismissed Monday after he pleaded guilty.

Two defendants who have pleaded guilty and been sentenced have been placed on probation and ordered to serve time in a work-furlough project.

Another defendant, Arnoldo Castillo, a former NAPA salesman, is a fugitive.

Prosecutor Lewis said “the investigation is still active” when asked if further charges are expected against others.

The involvement of personnel in the auto parts store allegedly stemmed from the defendants’ having NAPA bill the Port District for goods and services not rendered. The NAPA defendants marked up those bills substantially, sometimes by 67%, according to the charges.