Ken Rollston

Kenneth Carl Rollston died on Jan. 3, 2017, while on a trip to Monterey. He was 72.

Rollston was born on Nov. 14, 1944, in Burbank to Henry and Irene Rollston. Ken graduated from James Monroe High School in North Hills, Calif., in 1962. In 1966 he received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University, where he played varsity baseball, and he earned his law degree from Columbia Law School in 1969. He was admitted to the bar in California in 1970, and he began practicing law in the Tahoe basin in 1974.

Ken was the original staff attorney for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and served as counsel on various matters for the city of South Lake Tahoe and South Tahoe Public Utility District. He represented many Tahoe businesses including Tahoe Seasons Resort, Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association, Alpine Rentals, and Tamarack Rentals. Ken was on the Lake Tahoe Community College district board for 25 years and served as its president four times. He was instrumental in bringing the Court Appointed Special Advocates program for children to the South Lake Tahoe court system, and he supported youth sports for many years as a baseball coach from Little League up to Senior Babe Ruth.

Ken had many passions, but he especially loved fly fishing, from streams in Big Sky and Kodiak Island to the saltwater flats of Los Roques and Christmas Island. He was a world traveler, an inveterate golfer, a wine connoisseur, and a Dodgers fan since childhood. In recent years, he became a fearsome fantasy football player.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Carpenter Rollston; sisters Joanne, Garol, Lynne, and Marci; sons Jim and Brian and their wives Keri and Viktoria; Nancy’s sons Christopher and Erik and their wives Yvonne and Andrea; and six grandchildren on whom he doted — Ryland, Kaj, Zane, Miranda, Griffin and Maggie.

A celebration of Ken’s life will be in the spring. The family asks that donations in his memory be sent to the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation.

·      South Lake Tahoe Building Department will give a presentation that highlights the California Code change update at Lake Tahoe Airport on April 27 from 5-6:30pm. For questions or more information contact Dave Walker at 530.542.6072 or dwalker@cityofslt.us

·      Barton Foundation’s annual golf tournament is June 23 at Lake Tahoe Golf Course in Meyers. For details, go online.

·      There will be a celebration of life for Ken Rollston on May 6 at 2pm at Lakeland Village’s pavilion South Lake Tahoe.

·      South Lake Tahoe Police Department is now on Twitter @SLakeTahoePD.

·      People may drop off their unwanted prescription meds at Safeway in Round Hill on April 29 from 10am-2pm.

·       Fall Food Fest, a fundraiser for the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation, is Oct. 10 from 6-9:30pm at Hard Rock Casino. Tickets are $50. For more information, email nrollston@sbcglobal.net or call Nancy Rollston at 530.314.9101.

·       The Village at Squaw will transform into a Bavarian biergarten on Sept. 26 from 2-6pm.

·        Sustainable Forestry Initiative with the support of volunteers from across the U.S. and Canada, officially set a Guinness World Record for the most trees planted in one hour by small teams, planting a total of 202,935 trees. Taking place on May 20, the successful effort involved 29 teams from across North America, including the Sugar Pine Foundation. Volunteers planted 69 trees at the Tahoe Donner Association Trails in Truckee.

·       Twenty-two divers from Project AWARE Foundation removed 250 pounds of garbage from the Zephyr Cove area last weekend as part of the annual Sierra River Cleanup day. One item – a gangway from a boat – weighed 150 pounds.

Fall Food Fest, a fundraiser for the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation, is Oct. 10 from 6-9:30pm at Hard Rock Casino. Tickets are $50. For more information, email nrollston@sbcglobal.netor call Nancy Rollston at 530.314.9101.

By Kathryn Reed

The bribery investigation involving South Lake Tahoe City Councilwoman Angela Swanson is over. No charges will be filed.

“At this time we don’t believe Mrs. Swanson intended on a criminal act,” Dave Stevenson, investigator with the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, told Lake Tahoe News.

Swanson has been under suspicion since August 2012 when Gino DiMatteo, then owner of City of Angels II medical marijuana dispensary, was arrested on a slew of drug charges. He implicated Swanson in a bribery case, claiming she would vote a certain way if he supplied cash to a charity she was involved with.

Angela Swanson

Stevenson said the investigation began based on a tip from a source, who wants to be anonymous, saying that there was some criminal wrongdoing going on.

“Throughout our investigation we look at different people and their involvement and their intent and if any laws were violated. Obviously, shortly into the investigation it was determined that Mr. DiMatteo had criminal wrongdoing and intent so we veered toward him,” Stevenson said. “That took a lot of time. Once it was completed, we focused on if anyone else was involved in criminal intent.”

DiMatteo pleaded guilty Jan. 9, 2013, to possession with the intent to distribute marijuana. He was sentenced to five years in prison. During the investigation it was uncovered that DiMatteo should never have been allowed to open a pot shop because he was a felon. But South Lake Tahoe officials never did a criminal background check on him.

“Ultimately, our investigation has concluded and found that while it is clear that Mr. DiMatteo believed he was attempting to bribe Councilmember Swanson, it is equally clear that the councilmember already intended to vote favorably for Mr. DiMatteo and his marijuana dispensary,” District Attorney Vern Pierson said in letter to South Lake Tahoe councilmembers.

Swanson’s vote for medical marijuana has been consistent since she has been on the council.

The bribery issue stems from Swanson and Nancy Rollston, the head of the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation, accepting more than $1,000 in cash for the foundation from DiMatteo that was delivered in an unmarked brown bag. This was just prior to vote of the council involving DiMatteo. (Despite its being drug money, the foundation has never returned it. Swanson is on the nonprofit’s board.)

Swanson always maintained her innocence and has said there was nothing wrong with accepting that money. She did not respond to multiple inquiries.

A bit of potential irony is Swanson is running for El Dorado County supervisor and would be in a position to have some say over the District Attorney’s Office, at least budget-wise. And Pierson is up for re-election this year.

By Kathryn Reed

Even with Gino DiMatteo being formally sentenced April 10 to five years in federal prison, the case is not completely closed.

Still blowing in the wind is Angela Swanson. The South Lake Tahoe City Councilwoman was caught up in the DiMatteo mess in August when she was questioned, had her house searched and electronic devices confiscated because at the time DiMatteo was suspected of bribing her.

The state bribery charge against the 43-year-old DiMatteo was dropped when the feds took over. The feds only leveled drug charges against the South Lake Tahoe resident. Earlier this year he pleaded guilty to all charges.

Angela Swanson — Vern Pierson — Gino DiMatteo

No charges have ever been brought against Swanson, but she is still under suspicion.

“We are not making any comments on the Angela Swanson matter at this time,” Nancy Anderson, secretary to El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson, told Lake Tahoe News this week.

Swanson and DiMatteo knew each other because he at one time ran the City of Angels II medical marijuana dispensary in town and several times had business before the City Council.

Swanson along with Nancy Rollston, the head of the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation, accepted more than $1,000 in cash for the foundation from DiMatteo that was delivered in an unmarked brown bag. (Despite its being drug money, the foundation has never returned it. Swanson is on the nonprofit’s board.)

Swanson told Lake Tahoe News she has had one phone conversation with the district attorney since August. That, she said, was not recent and it was to clarify paperwork.

“Nothing new is happening with me,” Swanson said on April 11. “I’m not accused of anything at this point.”

She is seeking from the Fair Political Practices Commission a written opinion exonerating her of any ethics violation. She said early on she received a verbal opinion saying she did nothing unethical.

Multiple phone calls to the FPPC were not returned.

Swanson said if ethics charges were filed against her by the district attorney, she would fight them.

People have told Lake Tahoe News that Swanson has a legal defense fund going to fight what they have been told will be an ethics case. As an elected official, Swanson must report all of those dollars and disclose donors’ names.

By Kathryn Reed

“After several days of no comments, I feel that it is time to make a more detailed statement about the rumors that have been published as fact,” Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation President Nancy Rollston wrote in a Sept. 9 email to her board and others.

The press release that was sent to only one media outlet on Sept. 10 – and Lake Tahoe News was not that outlet – confirms what Lake Tahoe News has already published. And that is that disgraced South Lake Tahoe City Councilwoman Angela Swanson was at a meeting where Rollston took a donation of $1,128 from Gino DiMatteo.

But the nonprofit education group does not explain the odd dollar amount that was delivered in cash in a bag.

DiMatteo was arrested Aug. 31 on charges of bribing Swanson and various drug related infractions. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Swanson has not been charged.

DiMatteo is a felon. Lake Tahoe News last week asked the city attorney, city manager and police chief the following questions: Can you please give me Gino’s application for his pot shop? Was a criminal check done? What did it turn up? I thought if anyone had a criminal background, they couldn’t open a pot shop if they had a criminal background. Where is the truth in that?

No one from the city has answered any of those questions.

El Dorado County Deputy District Attorney James Clinchard, who is prosecuting the case, continues not to return phone calls. So, Swanson’s future is unknown.

The press release says a foundation officer was interviewed by district attorney’s investigators Aug. 31. The other officers besides Rollston are Pradip Patel-vice president, Jerry Bindel-treasurer, Debra McHugh-secretary, and Chris Campion-past president.

The press release says, “Although Angela Swanson was present, she did not accept the contribution.” Swanson is on the ed foundation board.

That does not exonerate her under the letter of the law.

The press release says the foundation was given the money June 13. The alleged bribery, according to the complaint that was released Sept. 4, took place on or between June 5-13.

In a statement, Swanson has said she did nothing “intentionally” wrong.

However, it was Swanson who initiated the transaction.

DiMatteo and those who have been on the receiving end of DiMatteo’s generosity have publicly stated at multiple City Council meetings how he has given money to multiple organizations and individuals in town.

DiMatteo as owner of City of Angels 2 was before the City Council multiple times either advocating for his industry or seeking votes from the council related specifically to his now shuttered business. Swanson has always been a strong advocate for medical marijuana, having a family member who she has told Lake Tahoe News is not ill who has a card to get the drug-medicine.

Swanson did not return a phone call.

Updated: Sept. 6, 2012, 9:30pm.

By Kathryn Reed

The Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation appears to be helping South Lake Tahoe City Councilwoman Angela Swanson cover up a donation from Gino DiMatteo.

Nancy Rollston, president of the nonprofit foundation, Swanson and DiMatteo met this summer at least once to discuss a donation by DiMatteo to the group.

At that time DiMatteo operated the medical marijuana collective called City of Angels II. It was also known that the U.S. Attorney General’s Office was cracking down on collectives in California. Medical marijuana dispensaries at various times have been a closed session item on City Council agendas, so Swanson has privileged information and more knowledge than the average citizen in South Lake Tahoe about that segment of the community.

It was well-known that the dispensaries were all under the radar of law enforcement for potential illegal drug activity. Why an education group that helps students in Lake Tahoe Unified School District, that has an FBI agent on its board, would accept his money is not known because their president is withholding information from the media.

And according to Chris Campion, the FBI agent who is on the board and is past president of the foundation, Rollston is the spokesperson for the group.

“The bottom line right now is we are not going to be talking about it. If that changes in the next few days, we will get back in contact with you,” Campion told Lake Tahoe News.

DiMatteo is now behind bars in Placerville on charges of bribing a public official (Swanson), possession of marijuana for sale, possession of a controlled substance and possession of ammunition.

A bail hearing the afternoon of Sept. 7 could determine if he will be released as his case goes through the court system.

Swanson has not been charged with any crime, but her name has been used in documents by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, the lead agency in the case, stating she is the one who DiMatteo allegedly bribed.

Lake Tahoe News has been told by sources that Swanson had secured one or two $5,000 donations from DiMatteo for the Ed Foundation. Swanson is on the Ed Foundation’s board.

KRNV-TV in Reno reports having a letter from Ed Foundation President Rollston thanking DiMatteo for his donation of $1,128, with a handwritten addendum saying, “Your donation was extremely generous and is greatly appreciated.”

Other officers on the Ed Foundation board are Pradip Patel-vice president, Jerry Bindel-treasurer (he could not be reached at his office after 5pm Sept. 6), Debra McHugh-secretary, and Campion-past president.

The other board members are Tyler Cannon, Greg Bergner, Paige Cefalu, Jana DiGrande, Bill Kingman, Jen David, Lee Anne Stigers-Genasci, Christina Proctor, Joe Marzocco, Brain Hogan, Coleen Shade, Diane Rosner, Julie Lucksinger, Cookie Rork, and Tom Davis.

Campion said he would not comment on whether the donation from DiMatteo raised red flags because who made the donation or how it was handled.

City Councilman Davis said, “I have not been active in the Ed Foundation for some time. I have no knowledge of [any] donation whatsoever. Period.”

Rollston said, “I have no response or comment to any of your questions.”

There is question whether information about the foundation’s donors are public record.

Swanson said at this time she is not commenting further about anything related to the case.

Even if all of the money DiMatteo gave the Ed Foundation ended up in the appropriate bank account, Swanson had a duty to report the transaction to the California Fair Political Practices Commission. She also had an obligation to report it to the City Council to disclose an entity she was involved with was benefiting from someone who the city was doing business with. Neither of these things occurred.

It is not known if she consulted City Attorney Patrick Enright.

Lake Tahoe News asked Enright if he gave Swanson any advice about anything involving the case. He said, “I can’t comment at this time while the investigation is going on.”

However, Lake Tahoe News has learned Enright is the one who recommended Swanson hire the attorney she has retained out of Sacramento.

By Nancy Rollston

Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation and South Tahoe High School teens volunteered at the American Century Golf Tournament on July 15. The teens distributed appreciation plaques to amateur participants in each foursome as they finished the 9th and 18th holes. The amateurs were surprised by the presentations and appreciated the photographic mementos.

Teen volunteers had the opportunity to meet the celebrities and were rewarded with many autographs and kind words as well as having the opportunity to participate in community service.

The Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation will receive a generous donation from Livestrong through LTVA for their participation. This donation will enable the foundation to buy musical instruments for school orchestras in Lake Tahoe Unified School District.

Nancy Rollston is president of the LTEF board.

To the community,

The 2011 Elegant Evening at Harrah’s was quite a success and that was due, in the most part, to the generosity of businesses and friends in our community.

The Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra wish to thank everyone who attended this fun and worthwhile event and also those that donated to make it so profitable for the programs and organizations that we as a group support.

As always, every dollar raised goes back into our town, schools, programs and students.

It was very well-attended and beautifully decorated thanks to the assistance of Harrah’s and their fabulous staffs and delicious food. A special kudo to Paul Ellbogen, Paul Voss, Robin Eissinger, Karen Lantz-Feith, Linda Hunt, Mary Wood and the banquet/catering staffs for their hard work and monetary assistance. hard work and monetaryPlease support the following businesses and friends who were patrons of our 2011 Elegant Evening:

Advanced Cosmetic Dermatology & Surgery, Advocacy for Youth International — Kim Gayner , Alpina Café, Alpine Carpet One, Alpine Clothing Company, Alpine Computers, Altitude Salon & Spa — Sherry Hawks, American Red Cross, Andrea Sorrentino Salon, Angel Touch — Anna Terry and Wendi Elvin, Angie’s Signs, Anytime Fitness, Apres Wine Bar, Bags For All Reasons, Balance Body Studio, Balancing Your Business, Barbara Gustafson, Barton Memorial Hospital, Beauty Control: Linda LaFavor-Coyle, Bent Glass Art Studio, Bio Spirit Spa, Bistro Danielle, Bleu Wave, Bliss Salon, Blue Dog Pizza, Body Essentials, Bonita Paulis, Brian Walker Photography, Café Girasole, Calstar, Capisce?, Carol Hug, Cathy Huffman, Cedarville Vineyard, Charlee Puentes at Altitude, Chart House, South Lake Tahoe Parks and Recreation Department, Crossfit — Steve Wetterer, CV Sports, Deb Howard & Co., Dianne Ross, Dick’s Fuller O’Brien Paints, Dirk Yuricich Photography, Disneyland, Dog Dog Cat, Dollar Signs & Graphics, Dona Baxter-Mobile DJ, Dorothy Davis, Paul and Cookie Rork, Sports Performance Chiropractic — Adam Spindler, Dylan Silver, Eagle Valley Golf Course, Ed Cook Tree Service, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department, El Dorado Savings Bank, Ellen Nunes, Embassy Suites Resort Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay Salon, Eric Linkugel Photography, Ernie’s Cafe, Event’s Ink, Evieivyover, Expanding Adventures — Linda Keel, Fasta Pasta, FBI, Floral Vineyard & Khristophers, Fox Gasoline, Freshies, Genasci & Stigers Family Dentistry, Genoa Lakes Golf Club and Resort, Genoa Lakes Supper Club, George Alm, Getaway Café, Grassroots Natural Foods, Grocery Outlet, Hampton Inn & Suites at Truckee, Harrah’s Donations Committee — Linda Hunt, Harrah’s Harvey’s Lake Tahoe and John Koster and his amazing team, Heaven Scent Salon, Home Depot, Hot Gossip, House of Ski, Hunan Garden, Inn by the Lake, Jamba Juice, Jeff and Billie Lea Parker, Jim Stamates, Joanne Reuter — RAH, Jo Anne Wood, Joe and JoAnn Tillson, John and Betsy Williams, John’s Cleaners, Kahle Community Center, Kalanis, Kathay Lovell, Kathe Brooks, Kat’s Home Décor, Keith Price , Ken and Nancy Rollston, Kerry and Wendy David, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, KizmeTech, Kiwanis Sunrisers Club, KRLT, KTHO, Lake Tahoe Golf Course, Lake Tahoe Holidays, Lake Tahoe Master Framing, Lake Tahoe News, Lake Valley Fire Protection District, Lakeside Inn & Casino, Les Schwab Tire Center, Lindsey Felsch, Lisa Ryczkowski-Nigon, Live Out Loud, Marcia Sarosik Dance Studio, Maren’s Art ala Maren Linkugel, Marie Schweitzer, Markleeville Art Gallery, Mary Kay Cosmetics — Leticea Hansen, Midkiff & Associates Inc., Mikaela Bianchi, Mind & Body Fitness, Mirabelle French Cuisine, Mo’s Place, Mountain Yoga, Mt. Rose Ski Resort, Nails by Lisa Quick, Naked Fish, Nancy Gayner, Nel’s Hardware, New Day Nail & Hair Day Spa, North Face, North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, Off the Hook, Orchid’s Thai, Outside TV, Overland Meat Co. , Pacific Crest Gallery, Pam Brekas, Peter Darvas, Picchetti Winery, Pine Cone Resort, Pottery by Lynn, Powder House, Princess Productions, ProClean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, Randall Hazeltine, Riva Grill, Robert Huckaby, Robert A. Mancinelli, Ron Wood , Ross Groelz, Round Hill Jewelers, Round Hill Pines Beach, Rural Squirrel, Safeway, Scotty’s Hardware, Scusa’s On Ski Run, Sherna Kopple-Svensson, Sidestreet Boutique, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Sierra Pizza, Signs of Tahoe, Ski Run Boat Company, Skin and Hair Wellness, Soaring NV, Sorensen’s Resort, Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe Fire Department, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, Sprouts Natural Foods Cafe, Staples, Stateline Brewery, Steamers Bar & Grill, Studio 6 Hair Design, Sunridge Golf Course, Susan Welch, Svadhyaya Yoga & Wellness Center, Tahoe Bowl, Tahoe Cakes by Grace, Tahoe Carpet Care, Tahoe Daily Tribune, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club, Tahoe Grille, Tahoe Keys Deli, Tahoe Keys Liquor, Tahoe One-Hour Cleaners, Tahoe Paradise Golf, Tahoe Ridge Winery, Tahoe Season’s Resort, Tahoe Trading Post, Tahoe Valley Pharmacy, Tep’s Villa Roma, The Free Bird, The Soul Experience, Thunder Canyon Country Club, Thunderbird Preservation Society, Wade Morgan, and Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Express.

Among our 420 guests that evening were these businesses we’d like to thank for joining us: Ross Groelz dentistry, Mountain View Management, Take Care Health, Wells Fargo Bank, Yonker Construction, Brooks & Holcomb, Sports Performance Chiropractic, Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Arts Project, and South Lake Tahoe Fire Department.

Tahoe Sierra Soroptimist International