A lawsuit filed by three former workers of Bellflower St. John Bosco Excessive alleges that extremely adorned soccer coach Jason Negro embezzled cash from the Catholic faculty for years and had assistant coaches pay the schooling for prized gamers in money, saying the funds have been from “anonymous donors.”
The submitting in Los Angeles County Superior Courtroom additionally alleges that Negro performed all monetary transactions related together with his powerhouse program in money that he retains in a protected in his workplace, with no accounting or accountability by the college.
California Interscholastic Federation bylaws state that “anybody tied to the school cannot give out money based on athletic ability,” and a spokesman for the Southern Part stated that offering cash to gamers for tuition is a “potential violation.”
Plaintiffs Brian Wickstrom, Melanie Marcaurel and Derek Barraza allege that they have been improperly fired final yr and search restitution, reinstatement and unspecified punitive and normal damages for emotional misery. Wickstrom was the St. John Bosco president and chief govt from July 2020 till July 2024, Macaurel was the chief monetary officer from February 2023 till July 2024, and Barraza was vp of expertise from August 2021 till September 2024.
“The Salesian Order’s termination of Wickstrom and Marcaurel was motivated by the desire to protect the football program and its head coach Jason Negro from scrutiny or oversight of illegal conduct,” the lawsuit alleges.
The submitting additionally alleges that officers within the Salesian Society, a Roman Catholic spiritual order based within the late nineteenth century by Saint John Bosco to take care of poor youngsters throughout the industrial revolution, retaliated in opposition to the plaintiffs for reporting the violations, citing what is called the California Whistleblower Safety Act.
Marcaurel, particularly, confronted Negro concerning the follow of accumulating money and making funds, demanding that the soccer program adhere to established accounting practices, however was met with “fierce resistance” from the coach, in line with the lawsuit.
One of many assistants who allegedly delivered money to the enterprise workplace for overdue tuition for gamers was Jake Negro, Jason’s brother who’s the particular groups coach and a arithmetic trainer at St. John Bosco.
Jason Negro, a 1991 St. John Bosco graduate, grew to become coach in 2010 and nearly instantly elevated this system to a stage on par with longtime reigning Southland energy Mater Dei. By 2013, St. John Bosco went 16-0, successful its first Southern Part championship and state title and incomes a No. 1 nationwide rating by Max Preps and USA Right this moment.
St. John Bosco once more topped the nationwide rankings in 2022, successful its fourth state title underneath Negro, who took dwelling nationwide coach of the yr honors. He’s nonetheless the coach and a trainer on the faculty.
“St. John Bosco High School is aware of claims made against the Salesian Society and myself by former employees of St. John Bosco,” Negro stated in an announcement. “An independent investigation has already been conducted and all the facts will come to light in court. The claim has been in the hands of our legal team and our school will defer all questions to them.”
Among the many allegations detailed within the lawsuit are that solely money was accepted as fee for youth camps run by St. John Bosco, that gear given to Negro by Nike was offered for money and that the proceeds from parking, recreation packages and raffles at dwelling video games have been paid in money to Negro.
Money from Negro’s protected additionally paid for the teaching employees to take periodic “retreats” to the Palm Springs space, the lawsuit alleges. “There, the football staff engaged in profligate spending for hotels, meals, and large amounts of alcohol. Assistant coaches raved that they were able to go drinking on ‘Bosco’s dime.’ Negro, who set up these retreats, was reluctant to provide receipts or any other accounting to Marcaurel.”
Marcaurel and Wickstrom tried final yr to finish the cash-only system and run soccer income and bills via the college enterprise workplace, with Marcaurel issuing a “corrective action proposal” that included hiring an authorized public accountant. The Salesian Order responded by sending consultants to the college as a substitute of hiring a CPA, in line with the lawsuit. The consultants, Jay Conner and Cathy Vivian, “promptly demonstrated that they were not there for the Salesians’ stated intent, but instead used the audit as a ruse to come and rid the business office of its current staff and squelch the audit that would provide any accountability for the football program,” the lawsuit alleges.
Money funds to Negro and assistant coaches weren’t reported as earnings to the Inside Income Service or Franchise Tax Board, the lawsuit states, alleging that “Negro, in pocketing and using for his personal use much of the cash obtained for the football program, engaged in embezzlement and fraud.”
Wickstrom was fired by Salesians official Fr. Mel Trinidad, who in line with the lawsuit “violated California corporations law by inserting himself as principal and CEO of St. John Bosco High School.” Per week later, Trinidad fired Marcaurel, the swimsuit states.
Barraza, a 1999 St. John Bosco graduate who did a wide range of duties for the enterprise workplace and athletic division, was fired in September for “his perceived loyalty to Wickstrom and Marcaurel,” in line with the lawsuit.
St. John Bosco issued an announcement shortly after Wickstrom and Marcaurel stated they have been fired, pledging help for Trinidad and for an elevated management position by the Salesians.
“Over the last several months, the Salesian Society has engaged in a period of discernment regarding how to best position SJB for future success,” the assertion learn. “It became clear to Fr. Mel Trinidad, the Salesian Society’s current Provincial, and SJB’s other corporate members that they should play a larger role in guiding the school’s leadership and shaping its future.
“Consequently, they have directed a few leadership changes in the school’s administration. They have also recently implemented a number of other changes, and they anticipate that additional changes may be made in the future.
“The goal of these efforts is to better align the school’s governance and operations with the Salesian vision. The Salesians pray that these changes will enable SJB’s faculty and staff to better serve the students of SJB and their families in the spirit of St. John Bosco.”
Reached for remark on the time, Negro pledged his unqualified help for the Salesians, saying, “We’re in an awesome spot.”
Instances employees author Eric Sondheimer contributed to this report.
