Former EOPS director Arlie Ricasa had filed a lawsuit against Southwestern College following a demotion to a counselor position in 2014.
Governing board members voted unanimously in support of the recommendation to demote Ricasa who had admitted to a misdemeanor in the Southbay Corruption Case.
A poll previously conducted by The Sun found that 82 percent of its voters were in favor of Ricasa’s termination, 4.5 percent said she should remain in her former administrative position and 13.5 percent were unsure.
Ricasa had appealed her demotion to be reversed, claiming the college did not follow the Brown Act prior to her change in position. The judge from the California Office of Administrative Hearings upheld the college’s decision to demote Ricasa.
Following the appeal, SWC released this statement:
“A ruling in favor of Southwestern College was issued Tuesday, Nov. 17 in this matter. A judge from the California Office of Administrative Hearings has upheld the College’s demotion of Ms. Ricasa for her misuse of College facilities and resources to commit a crime. The judge ruled there was a clear nexus between Ms. Ricasa’s criminal conduct at the Sweetwater Union High School District and her employment with the College, which justified her demotion.”
“The judge also closely examined and completely rejected Ms. Ricasa’s claim that the Brown Act was violated.”
“The District is pleased with the judge’s ruling and looks forward to resolution of the related litigation Ms. Ricasa has initiated in the Superior Court. Due to the on-going nature of that litigation, the College has no further comment at this time.”