Dispatcher on leave for alleged posts on porn sites

A UCI police dispatcher who allegedly posted photos of at least three Newport Harbor High School water polo players on gay pornographic websites has been put on leave by the department, police said.

Scott Cornelius has been placed on 30-day paid administrative leave. The department’s human resources regulations require a certain number of days be set, but Assistant Chief Jeff Hutchinson said officials have the ability to extend it if necessary.

The investigation surrounding the taking and posting of the photos will be done by an outside department and law firm, according to Hutchinson. Meanwhile, Orange County prosecutors are working to determine if any laws were broken.

Hutchinson spoke with Cornelius recently and said Cornelius had turned off his phone.

— Daniel Tedford