Individuals Named as Belmont Prosecution Targets

The top auditor for the Los Angeles schools Wednesday recommended individuals for prosecution in the Belmont Learning Complex fiasco, referring names to two state agencies, sources said.

Don Mullinax, director of internal audits and special investigations for the Los Angeles Unified School District, sent the recommendations to the California attorney general and the state Fair Political Practices Commission.

On Monday, Mullinax delivered 15-volume packages to four agencies recommending criminal or civil prosecution against former school boards and several companies, including the developer of the $200-million high school west of downtown. Those allegations did not name any individuals.

A spokesman for the FPPC confirmed Wednesday that the agency, which enforces the Political Reform Act, had received the referral, but would not disclose whom it named.

The attorney general’s office had not yet received the new materials, a spokeswoman said. However, she said the initial 15-volume package had arrived Tuesday, a day after other agencies received it.

Recommendations for prosecution are being reviewed by the Los Angeles city attorney’s office, the Los Angeles district attorney’s office and the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles, in addition to the two state agencies.

The six-month Mullinax investigation sought to find out who was responsible for allowing construction to start on Belmont without adequate environmental assessments. Explosive methane and other chemicals have been found to be pervasive on the 35-acre site, forcing the district to consider costly mitigation.

A commission of civic leaders is now examining whether to complete the project.