Westgate-California Corporation

Westgate-California Corporation (WCC, 1956–1982) was a public company and a vehicle for the business interests of C. Arnholt Smith (1899–1996), a San Diego banker, businessman, civic booster, political fundraiser and felon. During its existence, WCC had a substantial impact on California, especially San Diego. Smith was one of the most powerful people in San Diego for decades with interests ranging from the San Diego Padres to property to tuna fishing/packing to airlines to national politics (he was friends with and a major fundraiser/donor for Richard Nixon). Smith's empire, including WCC, unraveled starting in 1973 when his bank was taken over by the FDIC for flagrant violations of banking regulations. This led to the bankruptcy of WCC in 1974, which dragged on for eight years, at times causing significant disruption, at the end of which it liquidated in 1982. Smith was convicted on related embezzlement charges, but served little time due to his advanced age.