Ventura County College Boss Quits
October 22, 2002
Los Angeles Daily News
By Cecilia Chan
Ventura County Community College District trustees announced Tuesday that Chancellor Philip Westin has resigned.
The resignation was part of a settlement struck with Westin, who had been on paid leave pending investigation into allegations of misspending, officials said.
On Tuesday night the college trustees said an investigation into the allegations showed they had no merit.
"Dr. Westin has resigned as chancellor," Board President Norman Nagel said as audience members clapped.
Westin, who was not at the meeting, will receive his full pay and health benefits until the end of his contract on June 30, 2003, officials said.
Nagel also said the investigation showed that there is "no merit at all" to allegations Westin spent taxpayers' dollars for personal gain. He said an auditor's report should be released shortly.
Trustees Nagel, Robert Gonzales and Allan Jacobs voted to approve the agreement and Trustees John Tallman and Art Hernandez voted no.
Nagel said the search for a new chancellor will begin immediately.
Attorney Paul Stevens of The Quisenberry Law Firm, which is suing the college district, Westin and four of the trustees on behalf of Ventura County taxpayers, said plaintiffs will need to look at the deal to determine if they will go forward with the lawsuit.
"We have to sit down and look at the deal they made with him in pure dollars and cents to determine how much that deal is worth and how much it will cost the county to go after him and prove up these allegations. The county is paying a lot of lawyers to defend the board and Dr. Westin," Stevens said.
"At least he is out," Stevens said. "That was really one of the primary purposes (of the suit) -- that he be removed from his position -- and that has been accomplished."
Trustees in July placed Westin, hired in 1996, on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Westin has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
