Felony charges of grand theft and misappropriation of public funds landed former Ventura College athletics director and men’s basketball coach Greg Winslow in jail Wednesday morning.
The District Attorney investigations have been on going for 14 months, and will continue to do so according to Ventura County Senior Deputy District Attorney, Wendy McFarlane. Winslow was charged with four counts of grand theft of tuition money, one count theft of public funds and one count of grand theft that faces him, according to a District Attorney press release. Winslow alledgely was receiving the money as donations to the basketball program, which he then transferred into a bank account that was under his name, according to the press release.
On top of all the charges, a press release from the Ventura County District Attorney’s office states that Winslow allegedly forged documents giving students instate tuition who never became residents to the state of California. This ultimately ended up costing Ventura College $40,000 in tuition fees.
Winslow’s was released from the jail Wednesday with a $10,000 bail authorities said. The maximum amount of time he could spend in prison would be seven years and four months.
The Ventura County Community College District started investigating Winslow for misconduct before the District Attorney took over.
“The District Attorney began an investigation, and that took precedence over our investigation,” said Ventura College President Robin Calote. “Now our own community college district can pick up the work that it needs to do.”
The district just wants to return to normality in the competitive field of sports.
“VCCCD’s intercollegiate sports programs are intended to provide an opportunity for students to learn and experience life lessons of commitment, honesty, integrity, and following the rules of sportsmanship,” said Calote in a press release. “VCCCD is working hard to put systems in place to ensure this happens in all cases.”
VCCCD Chancellor Dr. James Meznek is hopeful about the process.
“This has been a long and arduous process for everyone, but we are confident the District Attorney’s Office has conducted a complete and thorough investigation of this matter,” said Meznek.
Winslow’s first court hearing is March 4.
