Sacramento prides itself on civic engagement, transparency and strong public institutions. That’s why the ongoing crisis at Capital Public Radio strikes a deep nerve.
Recent reporting by the Bee shows this is not simply a personnel problem but a breakdown of oversight, governance and institutional accountability by the radio stations and their license holder, Sacramento State University.
CapRadio is not just another media outlet. As the region’s NPR affiliate, it plays a central role in civic life and depends on listener donations and public trust.
Trust was severely undermined by allegations that former general manager Fidias “Jun” Reina diverted more than $1.3 million in CapRadio funds for personal use, including international travel, home renovations and education.
Reina faces criminal charges of embezzlement, grand theft and forgery.
What makes the situation worse is the length of time problems went undetected and without challenge.
According to the Bee, the sheriff’s office submitted its criminal investigation to the district attorney after more than two years of probing Reina’s financial activities.
This follows earlier audits that revealed years of financial mismanagement at CapRadio. A 2023 audit by California State University headquarters found systemic weaknesses in oversight.
A 2024 examination identified several hundred thousand dollars in unsupported payments, including substantial amounts to the station’s leader at the time.
CapRadio filed a civil lawsuit against Reina in December 2024, accusing him of stealing at least $900,000. In December 2025, the stations reported receiving an insurance payout of nearly $1.3 million related to those allegations.
But the damage was done. The controversy led to staff departures and layoffs, and undercut confidence among donors and listeners.
Oversight systems that should have questioned or paused risky decisions at CapRadio failed or were never engaged.
A separate audit prompted the resignation of 14 CapRadio board members in October 2023 and revealed a lack of transparency and engagement by Sac State leaders as the crisis worsened.
Sac State President Luke Wood arrived just as CapRadio’s problems became public. He acknowledged the crisis and made changes to improve oversight. But public confidence in CapRadio’s leadership eroded.
This story extends beyond one institution. Public media occupies an important place in civic life, particularly when trust in journalism is fragile. Public radio can’t exist without trust from its supporters and audience.
The CapRadio saga is a reminder that transparency without enforcement is hollow. Policies on paper offer little protection. When accountability fails at public institutions, the consequences impact employees, donors and the community.
Sacramento deserves a stable, trustworthy CapRadio. Beyond the radio stations, the community deserves a state university that acts as an engaged steward, not a passive license holder.
Public trust, once lost, is difficult to rebuild. Restoring it requires more than audits and litigation. It demands sustained transparency, consistent oversight and a willingness to confront institutional failures openly and decisively.
Cecily Hastings can be reached at publisher@insidepublications.com. Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
