Julio Velazquez, a Sacramento State alumnus and former Associated Students Inc. executive was sentenced to a total of 120 days in jail and three years probation at a hearing on Aug. 11, after pleading no contest to embezzlement in June.

Velazquez will serve his time in jail through alternative programs, serving the first 30 days of his sentence through the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Work Program. The remainder of his sentence will be served through the Sheriff’s Alternative Work Program (community service). Both programs will be arranged by Velazquez’s probation agency.

Judge Gary E. Ransom of the Sacramento County Courthouse, who presided the case, gave Velazquez 18 months to complete his sentence.

Velazquez, who resigned from his position as ASI vice president of Finance on Sept. 9, 2005, was arraigned on 16 felony charges in February.

After pleading no contest, the other 15 charges being dismissed by the court.

Velazquez was ordered to pay a large amount of restitution to the university, which was initially estimated to be around $25,000.

At the sentencing, it was established that Velazquez paid Sac State restitution to the university in the amount of $16,565. The university seemed content with this payment.

“Our part of interest in the case has been satisfied,” said Director of Student Conduct Leonard Valdez. Valdez said since Velazquez had “separated from the university,” he could not be disciplined by the school.

As his case came to a close, Velazquez, in his black suit, didn’t have much to say. “It’s all on record,” he said as he shook his head refusing to comment further.

Donald H. Heller, who was Velazquez’s lawyer throughout the case, also had no comment.

Heller has worked with some high-profile clients, such as former Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush, insurance-industry lobbyist Clayton Jackson, according to the Sacramento News and Review.

The involvement of such a high-profile lawyer in this case has fueled a great deal of speculation.

“Why did Julio have one of the state’s most experienced corruption attorneys represent him, and who paid for it?” asked one student on The State Hornet’s online feedback forum.

Heller did not return phone calls from The State Hornet and could not be reached for comment regarding this issue or the case.

Cody Kitaura can be reached at [email protected]