Southern Section’s Thomas Under Investigation : Preps: CIF commissioner is on paid leave during review of alleged improper use of expense account.

Stan Thomas, on paid administrative leave as commissioner of the CIF Southern Section, is being investigated by the section’s Executive Committee for alleged improper use of an expense account.

Thomas’ leave became effective last Thursday, the result of a year-end audit that was completed last month by an independent accounting firm. Southern Section officials would say only that Thomas is on leave pending a review of office expenses.

But The Times has learned that the matter specifically has to do with reporting of meal and entertainment expenses by Thomas, who has been commissioner for the last seven years.

Once the Executive Committee received the year-end audit last month, it retained the law firm of Parker, Covert and Chidester to review the audit.

The Executive Committee then requested that Thomas answer more than 100 questions about items he has reported as expenses during the last two years. Thomas responded to the committee’s questions last Wednesday, explaining how each item was business related.

Many of the expenses were incurred while entertaining potential corporate sponsors or even other Executive Committee members at state or national federation meetings, according to Daniel Grigsby, Thomas’ attorney. Grigsby also said that there are no trips being reviewed because all trips were approved by the Executive Committee.

Grigsby said that the additional review was completed because the audit revealed a budgetary deficit last year.

“Basically, the Southern Section is looking for a way to eliminate a deficit that it has,” Grigsby said.

Of Thomas’ questionable expenditures, Grigsby said, “It’s not going to balance the budget.”

Thomas, 62, did not return calls Monday.

The Southern Section’s budget for the 1993-94 academic year, nearly $1.3 million, comes from playoff proceeds, corporate sponsorship and dues from member schools. The budget is down 2% from last year.

Southern Section officials and Executive Committee members would not comment Monday because the review of Thomas’ expenditures is still going on.

“In a matter like this, confidentiality is of utmost importance,” said Gary Smidderks, principal of Los Angeles Baptist High and president of the Executive Committee.

The committee will meet again Wednesday to discuss the matter.

Dean Crowley, the section’s associate commissioner, is the acting commissioner.

Thomas was named became commissioner in 1986 after 29 years as a high school football coach and administrator in Southern California.