PUBLIC STATEMENT

Pasadena Area Community College District

June 7, 2012

Good afternoon. Thank you for coming today. My name is Mark Rocha,
Superintendent-President of the Pasadena Area Community College District and Pasadena City
College. I am accompanied today by representatives of our Board of Trustees (names), by the
college’s General Counsel, Gail Cooper; by external counsel, Mary Dowell, of Liebert, Cassidy,
Whitmore; by Juan Gutierrez, the college’s Director of Public Relations and the college’s
representative to the media for this matter.
We come today to announce news that has angered and saddened all of us, as I know it
will for all of you who care about Pasadena City College.
The day before yesterday, June 5, 2012, the college was formally notified by the Los
Angeles County District Attorney that it intended to serve search warrants at the homes of two
employees, Richard van Pelt, Vice President of Administrative Services, and Alfred Hutchings,
Facilities Supervisor. These search warrants were served early this morning in connection with
an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations against these two individuals related to
violations of conflict of interest and similar laws. Because this is an ongoing criminal
investigation and because these individuals have rights of due process, we are unable to
comment further on this investigation. Further information about this investigation will come
only from the District Attorney’s office.
Here I want to thank the Los Angeles County District Attorney for bringing this matter to
our attention. From the moment the District Attorney contacted us we have cooperated fully
in their investigation. The record will show that the District Attorney’s office first contacted us
with regard to its investigation on May 7, 2012. Since that time we have worked openly and
fully with their investigator. We will continue to do so until this case is concluded.
We are able to say that Mr. van Pelt and Mr. Hutchings were the only two employees
identified by the DA's office as targets of the investigation.
Suffice it to say, that the potential charges against these two individuals are very serious
and require vigorous and immediate action by the District.
 PUBLIC STATEMENT
Pasadena Area Community College District
June 7, 2012

Therefore, both Mr. van Pelt and Mr. Hutchings, were placed on administrative leave
this morning. If our own investigation reveals improper conduct or violations of District policy,
then I will recommend to our Board of Trustees the termination of these two employees.
We will also use this as an opportunity to review all of our operations and learn how we
can improve oversight and insure full compliance. A preliminary internal review of our books
indicates that all funds are intact and properly accounted for. The District is financially strong
and stable. But we cannot let the matter rest there.
We have therefore engaged an independent accounting firm, Vicenti, Lloyd, Stutzman,
to perform an internal forensic audit of all business and fiscal operations, and to act as interim
finance staff. They will conduct an independent audit and will serve as supervisors pro tem for
fiscal and accounting operations. The auditors will be given full and free access and a report of
their work, when completed, will be shared with the public.
The college is moving forward and continuing all normal business and academic
activities.

Thank you for your time and support.

jfgutierrez@pasadena.edu