brooks news

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SoCalHoops High School News

More News On Steve Brooks;
And It's Not Good. . . --(Oct. 15, 1999)

We have not been avoiding this story (as much as we'd like to, because the whole thing is really sad, both personally for Brooks, and also for the program at Los Alamitos), but it looks like things are taking a slightly more serious turn than just a simple resignation of a coach. There was much speculation during the last few weeks, none of which could actually be confirmed, about an investigation into Brooks' handling of funds from the basketball program (mostly from tournament fees and summer league monies, at least those were the rumors), but until a couple of days ago, an actual investigation was neither confirmed nor denied by the school. Several papers wrote about the rumors, but no one would go on the record to actually say what was being "investigated" if anything.

The Orange County Register and the LA Times have now, however, both confirmed that a formal criminal investigation has been commenced. Rather than get this wrong, or mischaracterize what they've said, here's the story which was carried in yesterday's Orange County Register (without any byline by any writer):

Police investigating ex-Griffins coach Brooks

October 14, 1999
The Orange County Register

A criminal investigation is being conducted by the Los Alamitos Police Department into alleged financial improprieties by former Griffins boys basketball coach Steve Brooks, police detective Ken Sayles confirmed Wednesday. The probe was opened within the past week, and Sayles wouldn't say how long the investigation would last. "Financial crimes in general tend to be a long, drawn-out process," Sayles said.

Los Alamitos Unified School District assistant superintendent David Hatton said the district would continue to have no comment on any investigation it might be running. Brooks resigned his coaching duties Oct. 1, citing personal and family reasons. Brooks continues to teach math at the school. School officials started examining the program after several parents of junior varsity players complained about Brooks' summer program. The resignation has divided the basketball community at the school and prompted two dozen parents to complain to the district's school board Monday night about how the situation has been handled.