Iti Files Petition for Emancipation

Martin Iti, the Australian basketball player fighting to remain in Orange County and play for Villa Park High, has filed a petition for emancipation from his mother in Sydney.

The petition, filed Wednesday in Orange County Superior Court, seeks to allow the 17-year-old to make his own choices regarding where he goes to school, where he lives and with whom.

But that’s not the only controversy surrounding Iti, who turns 18 in February. Questions are being raised about whether Iti’s transfer to Villa Park was unduly influenced by the father of a teammate, according to an attorney involved with Iti’s fight.

Ronald E. Lais, the attorney, said a verbal complaint has been leveled regarding Iti and Roger Hogan Sr., whose son, Kyle, transferred with Iti from Servite to Villa Park. The teenagers plan to play together next season, when Iti will be a junior. Iti’s local guardian, Courtney Rosegreen, works for Roger Hogan Sr. at a Claremont car dealership.

Hogan Sr. could not be reached for comment Thursday. Lais said Hogan Sr. played no role in Iti’s transfer.

Lais said he did not know the source of the complaint, but added that Villa Park Principal Fran Roney is investigating the allegation. Servite Athletic Director Larry Walker said Thursday he was unaware of the matter.

Iti, a 6-foot-11 center, came to the United States in June 1998 to go to school and develop his basketball skills. Iti has lived with Rosegreen and his wife, Nicole, since leaving Australia. They now live in Orange.

In April he transferred to Villa Park, marking his fourth high school transfer since his arrival. In May, Iti’s mother, Legina Paraita, concerned with her son’s nomadic ways under the care of Rosegreen, attempted to rescinded Rosegreen’s guardianship and attempted to have him return home to Sydney. But Rosegreen responded with a petition seeking to install himself as Iti’s caretaker.

Iti filed the petition for emancipation in an effort to end to the dispute. A hearing is set for Sept. 13.

The emancipation petition “should be open and shut,” Lais said, in contrast to the guardianship petition, which could result in a drawn-out mud-slinging contest between Paraita and Rosegreen.

Iti said he was dismayed that the latest legal action had to be taken.

“I sort of am sad that it had to come to this,” he said. “It’s just time to start making my own decisions. It’s not like I don’t love her . . . it’s just something that had to happen [to play basketball at Villa Park].”

Two other issues remain to be resolved:

* Iti’s immigration status. Earlier this summer, Villa Park officials said they would allow Iti to enroll as a foreign student, but under Southern Section rules, that would make him ineligible to compete for a year, Lais said.

* Iti’s athletic eligibility. Iti attended high school in Australia for two months before coming to the United States, which could impact his remaining eligibility at Villa Park. But, Lais said, it appears Iti is “clear for this year. We’ll worry about the rest of it next year.”