Los Angeles, CA – A significant controversy has emerged at St. John Bosco High School as three former employees have taken legal action against the school and its head football coach, Jason Negro. The lawsuit, filed last month in Los Angeles County Superior Court, accuses the school of financial mismanagement within the football program, including serious allegations of embezzlement and fraud.
The former employees, who were all dismissed from their positions at the school last year, claim that Coach Negro violated standard accounting practices. The lawsuit states that he distributed payments for the football program using cash stored in a safe within his office. It is alleged that this cash was used not only to cover the tuition fees of players but also for meals and even alcoholic beverages during staff retreats.
The plaintiffs – Brian Wickstrom, Melanie Marcaurel, and Derek Barraza – assert that Negro committed tax fraud and embezzlement by failing to maintain accurate records of incoming and outgoing funds. In response to the allegations, Coach Negro has stated that an independent investigation has already taken place, and he believes all evidence will be revealed during the court proceedings.
Ernest Antonelli, the principal of St. John Bosco, defended the school in an email, labeling the lawsuit as reflective of the views of disgruntled former employees. He firmly stated that the allegations are false and assured that the school will vigorously defend itself in court. The Salesian Society, which oversees the school, has not commented on the issue as of yet.
Jason Negro has been at the helm of the St. John Bosco football program since 2010, leading the Braves to great success, including four state titles and being crowned as the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 national champions for the 2022 season. Notable former players such as Josh Rosen and DJ Uiagalelei have advanced to play football at the collegiate and professional levels.
The lawsuit alleges that the football program’s success has allowed for a lack of oversight, leading to mismanagement. It claims that Negro and his coaching staff concealed the tuition payments to players as supposed donations from anonymous sources and did not properly account for revenue generated from camps, clinics, and fundraising activities.
Marcaurel, who previously served as the school’s chief financial officer, began questioning the financial practices after noticing discrepancies. Her request for invoices and receipts for cash transactions resulted in conflicts that drew in the Salesian Society and ultimately led to the firings of the three plaintiffs.
The trio claims their termination was retaliatory and are pursuing unspecified monetary damages, including back pay and compensation for emotional distress. The situation continues to develop as legal proceedings are anticipated in the coming months.
