# Ex-49ers exec charged in $1.4M kickback scheme

> Former San Francisco 49ers executive James Mercurio faces $1.4 million taxpayer kickback charges.
- Title: Ex-49ers exec charged in $1.4M kickback scheme | Shortify
- Summary: Former San Francisco 49ers executive James Mercurio faces $1.4 million taxpayer kickback charges.
- Keywords: james mercurio, san mateo county, 49ers, san francisco 49ers, taxpayer kickback, san mateo district attorney, steve wagstaffe, mclennan, federal charges, misappropriation, news, entertainment
- Source: California Post — https://nypost.com/2026/10/13/us-news/ex-san-francisco-49ers-exec-charged-in-alleged-1-4m-taxpayer-kickback-scheme
- Published: 2026-10-13T22:32:35+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: james mercurio, san mateo county, 49ers, san francisco 49ers, taxpayer kickback, san mateo district attorney, steve wagstaffe, mclennan, federal charges, misappropriation, news, entertainment
## Former 49ers executive charged
Former San Francisco 49ers executive James Mercurio, 55, faces criminal charges for alleged $1.4 million taxpayer kickback scheme.
## San Mateo DA calls scheme serious
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe called the alleged scheme an 'extraordinarily serious' white-collar crime.

> extraordinarily serious
## Mercurio's alleged kickback scheme
Mercurio allegedly steered contracts to McLennan, who returned portions of $1 million in county tax funds to his friend rather than using all for construction.
## County Event Center hired Mercurio
The county Event Center hired Mercurio in 2024 to oversee three construction projects each supported by $1 million in county tax dollars.
## Alleged kickbacks total $1.4m
Prosecutors said alleged kickbacks to Mercurio totaled about $1.4 million over a year and a half.
## Mercurio posted $750k bond
Mercurio posted a $750,000 bond after pleading not guilty to two counts of misappropriating public money and one count of embezzlement.
## DA warns of oversight needs
San Mateo District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said government must 'trust but verify' taxpayer money with checks and balances.

> trust but verify
## Key takeaway

Former San Francisco 49ers executive James Mercurio charged with misappropriating $1.4 million in San Mateo County tax funds through a kickback scheme.