Bishop Amat girls soccer coach Ruben Gonzalez still suspended, but LAPD says there never was an “investigation,” only a preliminary check

“We are talking about a guy who has coached for more than 20 years without any problems. After the investigation is over I hope the detective, school and Archdiocese are as quick to restore my client’s outstanding reputation as they were to announce the “unsubstantiated” allegation,” said Tomas Requejo, the attorney for Bishop Amat girls soccer coach Ruben Gonzalez.

By Thomas Himes Staff Writer
Catholic church officials said Tuesday a Bishop Amat High School teacher was suspended following an accusation that he behaved inappropriately with a pupil three years ago. Ruben Gonzalez has yet to return to his job as a teacher and head coach of the girls soccer team since he was suspended late last month, said Archdiocese of Los Angeles spokeswoman Carolina Guevara. To continue click thread


Bishop Amat President Monsignor Aidan Carroll sent a letter to parents March 30 in which he wrote that the Los Angeles Police Department was investigating.

The alleged misconduct occurred at a different high school at least three years ago, authorities said.

But LAPD officials said Tuesday there was never an investigation into Gonzalez, only a “preliminary check,” police spokesman Richard French said. That check consisted of an LAPD detective making an unannounced visit to Bishop Amat and interviewing Gonzalez, according to Gonzalez’s attorney, Tomas Requejo.

Archdiocese officials said Tuesday they were under the impression there was an LAPD investigation into Gonzalez, but that he will remain on suspension until the church’s investigation concludes, Guevara said.

“The priority for the Archdiocese is protecting our children,” Guevara said. “While we work closely with law enforcement officials, the Archdiocese has investigators who are conducting a separate investigation.”

Gonzalez said he is aware of the “false allegation,” but referred further questions to his attorney.

“We are talking about a guy who has coached for more than 20 years without any problems,” Requejo said.

“After the investigation is over I hope the detective, school and Archdiocese are as quick to restore my client’s outstanding reputation” as they were to announce the “unsubstantiated” allegation, he said.

Requejo said the detective mentioned the name of a girl to Gonzalez during the five-minute interview, but Gonzalez did not recognize the name. Requejo said neither the detective nor the Archdiocese has returned his calls.

thomas.himes@sgvn.com

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