Sheriff Investigates Wrestlers’ Behavior

THOUSAND OAKS — Ventura County sheriff’s investigators arrived on Westlake High’s campus to question administrators Thursday afternoon, a day after alleged “gross team misconduct” spurred the cancellation of the school’s wrestling season.

The Sheriff’s Department has not determined whether the alleged student misconduct rises to the level of criminal wrongdoing. Citing confidentiality laws, school officials have refused to describe the alleged misconduct, but many Westlake students and parents have described it as sexual hazing involving a broomstick.

Because of the alleged hazing, sheriff’s officials Thursday sent a team of investigators from the major crimes unit to interview officials at the high-achieving school in one of Thousand Oaks’ most affluent neighborhoods, said Cmdr. Kathy Kemp. No charges have been filed against any students, she added.

“We don’t know, at this point, whether we have a crime or just some inappropriate conduct,” Kemp said. “It’s too early right now for us to say what went on.”

Meanwhile, students and parents expressed outrage Thursday that all wrestlers were paying for the alleged misdeeds of some.

“As a wrestler, all I can think is: I was not in there when all the shenanigans happened,” said Westlake junior Dan Margolis, a wrestling co-captain. “Due to the fact that about seven members were not there, it doesn’t seem fair for all of us to be on the block. I don’t want to brag, but for some of us, this could cost us league and state championships.”

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His mother agreed.

“I’ve taught my children to take personal responsibility,” Wendy Margolis said. “But they only need to take responsibility for their own actions.”

Looking for answers, the Margolis family hosted an event at their home Thursday night during which livid parents of wrestlers could question Westlake’s Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Joseph Pawlick.

Pawlick, however, canceled his appearance, citing the police investigation that began earlier in the day.

About 20 parents instead used the occasion to compose a letter to be delivered to school officials, complaining that they have been left in the dark and to demand that the wrestling program be reinstated.

Parents also worried the incident could hurt their boys psychologically by painting them as molesters. “In this whole investigation, have they looked at the impact on the children--the emotional impact?” wondered parent Sharlene Lewis, mother of a freshman wrestler. “Remember, children don’t see past tomorrow.”

Pawlick and Principal Curt Luft axed the wrestling program Wednesday, citing pervasive and repeated incidents of “gross team misconduct.” Pawlick is investigating whether further disciplinary action is necessary.

The “gross misconduct” involves the majority of the wrestlers to varying degrees, said Pawlick, who is investigating the alleged misdeeds by interviewing all 27 wrestlers one on one. Pawlick, who first learned of the alleged misconduct last week, expects to report his findings to Luft by the end of school today.

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The principal will then mete out any additional discipline, which could include suspensions or expulsions.

“There is a continuum in terms of the gravity of unethical student athlete behavior,” Pawlick said. “I can’t tell you what the minimum or maximum is here. But we will tolerate none of [the alleged behavior].”

School officials vowed to fully investigate the alleged hazing.

Added Rich Simpson(cq), Conejo Valley Unified’s assistant superintendent for instructional services: “It’s a problem serious enough to be dealt with” by canceling the season. “At this point, it has not resulted in the determination of any crimes or arrests, but we certainly have student misconduct. . . . But it’s not at the level of what people think is going on.”

Anyone involved in the alleged hazing should expect harsh punishment, predicted school trustee Elaine McKearn.

Folmar is a Times staff writer and Metcalfe is a correspondent. Staff writer Vince Kowalick also contributed to this story.