From Monday night's meeting with San Clemente High officials and Capistrano Unified School District Superintendent Joe Farley:
A private investigator’s recent findings into financial improprieties with defunct Lapes Athletic Team Sales led Capistrano Unified School administrators to remove San Clemente High football coaches last week, district officials told parents tonight.
In a carefully choreographed meeting about the decision to put the coaches on administrative leave, Principal George Duarte backed by Superintendent Joe Farley addressed the nearly 100 parents in the Triton Center and fielded their questions. The administrators spent about 45 minutes assuring parents they were doing their best to keep the student-athletes’ best interests at heart while discussing the bare-bone basics of a months-long investigation into alleged kickbacks.
“The reason we’re here is because we take this entire situation seriously,” Duarte said. “It’s been tough.”
Last week, Triton head football Coach Eric Patton and four additional coaches were abruptly pulled from their coaching jobs, leaving players and their parents frustrated and concerned about a season only days away from starting.
None of the coaches have been charged criminally, but Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, said last week his agency is investigating Lapes Athletic and coaches.
Tonight, parents voiced concern about their boys, the reputations of the coaches and the future of the program.
“I just think the process needs to be looked at,” said parent Tom Donnelly.
If the coaches have not been charged with criminal acts, why is at least one (Patton) being removed from teaching? Is CUEA representing the coaches?
Posted by: Get Back, Loretta | August 23, 2011 at 03:56 PM
ARE they being removed from teaching? It really isn't clear in the articles - just that they have been removed from coaching.
Posted by: SCHS Fan | August 23, 2011 at 04:22 PM
"I think the process just needs to be looked at?" What on earth could that mean! What process?
I'm sure these are great coaches and nice men, but if they've done something illegal, tough dice. They've got to go.
Posted by: A friend | August 23, 2011 at 07:26 PM
The Register reported that Patton was being put on "paid leave" from teaching. How can this be if he has not been charged with any crime? Shouldn't the union be making a statement about their constituents? Does anyone know if CUEA is representing any of these coaches?
Posted by: Get Back, Loretta | August 23, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Assuming Coach Patton is on paid leave, the district has the right to do so. Since he's apparently being paid, he isn't being harmed in the eyes of the law even if he isn't coaching at the present time.
Posted by: Me | August 24, 2011 at 05:43 PM
Sorry, but I'm not all that worried about if he's teaching or coaching. These are the types of people who I wouldn't want in the classroom or the field. It is sad, regardless. The union protection should come in after the investigation is over, because you're right- at this point, he's still getting paid. Bummer is it's the kids who lose, IF the accusations are true.
Posted by: myself | August 25, 2011 at 07:35 AM
Here's the full list.
http://www.voiceofoc.org/app/pdf/slush.pdf
Posted by: curious | August 25, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Wow! The accounts at Tesoro and CVHS are much higher than SCHS!
Something still does not sit right. Are all the coaches in our district who were involved being put on "paid leave?" Why is Patton being singled out in this matter? Did he take more than other coaches who are still active in the district? I know...more to be revealed. Sometimes more is not revealed. When "myself" states, "these are the kind of people I wouldn't want in the classroom or the field," it implicates that Patton is looked at as some sort of criminal already. Yet, the papers have not reported that any other coach is being put out of the classroom despite that fact that some purportedly took as much, and more, than Patton.
Posted by: Get Back, Loretta | August 25, 2011 at 02:53 PM
Very perplexing that SCHS has been singled out on this when Tesoro is listed with $99,682, Capistrano Valley $162,404 and Dana Hills $81,969. Why is only SCHS under scrutiny?
Posted by: a concerned parent in CUSD | August 25, 2011 at 11:09 PM
I think it is only Patton with a testimonial record at this point.
Posted by: Reality Check | August 26, 2011 at 07:54 AM