UCI dispatcher won’t face charges

Two men, including a UCI police dispatcher, who allegedly took photographs of area high school water polo players that were posted on gay sex websites will not face criminal charges, a UCI official said today, although a university investigation is ongoing.

Scott Cornelius, 44, a UCI police department employee, remains on paid administrative leave as the university’s investigation continues, UCI spokeswoman Cathy Lawhon said.

The Orange County District Attorney’s office has decided not to press charges against the two men after a four-month investigation found the men did not break any laws, Lawhon said. Prosecutors were not immediately available to confirm this.

Cornelius was placed on paid administrative leave in January after he and another photographer, Allen Rockwell, were accused of posting photos of unsuspecting high school-aged male water polo players, including Newport Harbor High School students, on websites with gay pornographic content.

UCI is conducting its own investigation to see if Cornelius’ conduct broke any university regulations. The investigation is examining whether photographs Cornelius allegedly took were taken on department time, a police department official told the Daily Pilot in March.

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at [email protected].