Former San Francisco 49ers executive Jim Mercurio has been charged in an alleged $1.4 million kickback scheme tied to construction projects funded by San Mateo County.
District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe said prosecutors allege Mercurio directed contracts to Michael McLennan, a childhood friend, who returned part of the money to him. Mercurio faces 20 commercial bribery counts, two counts of misappropriating government funds and one embezzlement count. The two men collectively face 44 counts of alleged wrongdoing.
A grand jury indicted both men last week, and both pleaded not guilty. Mercurio began working for the nonprofit San Mateo County Event Center in 2024 after nearly three decades with the 49ers. He had held senior operations roles at Levi’s Stadium, which the team operates under a contract with the city of Santa Clara.
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