Compton : Fired College President Sues for Reinstatement

Former Compton Community College President Warren A. Washington, who was fired this year in the wake of allegations that federal funds were misspent at the college, has sued the district, demanding that he be reinstated.

Washington is also seeking a court order that would prohibit the trustees from hiring a new president, although the college is in the middle of a nationwide search and officials said they plan to hire Washington’s replacement this fall.

Washington came under fire after a federal Department of Education report uncovered spending abuses of nearly $500,000 in federal funds intended to help low-income and first-time college students.

The money was used instead on carpeting, mini-blinds and clothing, among other items.

Washington was also accused of transferring portions of the federal grants into the college’s general fund, which is prohibited by the programs’ guidelines.

Washington claims that none of the allegations were proven and that Trustee Emily Hart-Holifield has waged a vendetta against him because he would not contribute to her reelection campaign to the college district board in 1991.

After he was fired in March, the tenured Washington was given a teaching job on campus.

Acting President Essie-French Preston could not be reached for comment.