Judge issues temporary restraining order against CIF

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An Orange County Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order Monday barring the CIF Southern Section from releasing details of a punishment self-imposed by Santa Margarita High for a rules violation March 31.

Judge Steven L. Perk said disclosure of a letter detailing the penalty ‘would cause irreparable harm’ to the employee or employees at Santa Margarita who were disciplined. He has scheduled a preliminary hearing for July 23.

The Times requested information and details of the punishment via a California Public Records Act request.

An attorney representing Santa Margarita and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Orange argued that the letter was related to a personnel issue involving a private employee of a private institution. The CIF attorney said Santa Margarita waived any claim of exemption by providing the letter.

Santa Margarita has said it violated Southern Section rules March 31 at an open house at which football Coach Harry Welch met with parents of youth football players, which caused the Southern Section to initially impose a one-year ban from the football playoffs. Later, the school came forth with a penalty that was accepted by the Southern Section.

-- Eric Sondheimer