UCI officer kept on leave; investigation continues

UCI police officer Scott Cornelius’ paid absence was extended another month while investigators continue to look into allegations that he posted photos of Newport Harbor High School athletes on gay pornographic websites, university officials said Friday.

University police extended Cornelius’ absence, which began Jan. 22, to March 24 while the private law firm Ferguson Praet Sherman continues its investigation.

UCI Assistant Chief Jeff Hutchison expects the investigation to finish before March 24, but human resource regulations at the university mandate that administrative absences have a specified end-date, he said.

“I’m hoping we get it done before then. We don’t want to keep this thing dragging,” Hutchison said.

County prosecutors are also looking at the case to see whether any laws were broken.

— Joseph Serna