Golden West seeks financial director

Mike Swanson

Golden West College is looking for a new financial aid director at

the school’s busiest time of year after Steve Mucciaro resigned two

weeks ago amid allegations of sexual harassment.

Mucciaro’s supervisor, Richard Porter, was placed on

administrative leave and is also expected to resign, said John

Renley, vice chancellor of human resources.

Mucciaro maintained his innocence despite resigning, but a private

investigator’s report provided enough evidence to put both

administrators on paid leave Aug. 25, the first day of fall classes,

Renley said. Mucciaro resigned three days later and the college is

continuing discussions with Porter to determine his future. Porter

was responsible for actions that go on in the division, Renley said.

“Steve was creating an ongoing hostile environment for his

employees for about a year, according to these two women,” Renley

said. “There are, of course, differing accounts from the two sides,

but our investigator gave us enough information to feel our actions

were warranted.”

The two alleged victims brought the situation to Renley’s

attention at the end of July. Mucciaro’s paid leave ends tomorrow

after a 15-year career with the district. Renley said he didn’t

believe Mucciaro had ever been in any trouble with the district

before now.

“I was pretty shocked to hear about the whole thing,” Renley said.

“He’s a real nice guy.”

Golden West officials are in the process of interviewing

candidates for Mucciaro’s position, and a replacement is expected to

be hired soon.

“It’s an important job,” Renley said. “We need to get someone in

there as soon as possible.”

Questions regarding Mucciaro and Porter to all campus departments

are being filtered to Public Affairs Director Erin Cohn, said Valerie

Venegas, student activities director.

Mucciaro and Porter’s cases never should have been leaked to the

press because they’re confidential, personnel matters, Cohn said.

“Our general comment is that we have no comment,” Cohn said. “I

can say, however, that we’re very concerned about how this is going

to affect student services and those seeking financial aid.

“I don’t know that things have really been backed up [at the

financial aid office] as a result, but it is a concern, because this

is the busiest time of year.”

* MIKE SWANSON covers education and crime. He can be reached at

(949) 494-4321, (714) 965-7177 or [email protected].