By Robert Haugh

Last week, an arrest warrant was issued for disgraced former Santa Clara City Councilman Dominic Caserta. Recently, he posted $30,000 bail and hired an attorney.

Caserta allegedly forged Foothill-DeAnza Community College pay stubs and employment verification forms to get a $690,000 loan from Finance of America Mortgage in 2021.

Earlier this month, Caserta sold his Old Quad home for $2 million. 

Caserta was suspended by the Santa Clara Unified School District in 2018 after he was accused by his campaign workers and female high school students of sexual abuse and harrassment.

He hired Santa Clara attorney John Mlnarik to represent him. But Mlnarik was suspended later that year for bilking some of his clients. Mlnarik was also dumped by the Santa Clara Rotary Club after being suspended.

Caserta was never charged with a crime, but he resigned from the City Council and dropped out of a race for County Supervisor.

Caserta landed on the Creep Sheet in 2018. The publication is described as “the most complete list of public figures accused of sexual harassment or assault.” Caserta is still on it.

Around the Mission City, there were rumors about who he would hire to represent him this time since Mlnarik isn’t an option.

Many community leaders thought former Mayor and City Councilwoman Patty Mahan would represent Caserta.

Mahan and Caserta were close allies for years on the Council. 

She even tried to downplay Caserta’s sexual abuse allegations when his victims came forward at 2018 Council meeting. 

After Caserta left the Council, Mahan was known to tell Old Quad residents that Caserta was not guilty of the allegations against him by campaign workers and high school female students.

But Caserta is not hiring Mahan. 

Caserta is hiring Sam Polverino, a highly rated criminal defense attorney based in San Jose. Most importantly, Polverino is not suspended.

Caserta will be arraigned on May 13, 2022.