Beverly Hills Unified hires law firm to investigate Times’ source

The Beverly Hills Board of Education voted this week to hire a law firm to conduct an investigation into the source of an article in the Los Angeles Times about a sports camp for high school athletes that was operated by the school’s principal.

The Times reported this month that Beverly Hills High School Principal Carter Paysinger did not report more than $40,000 he received from the summer camp — a possible violation of conflict-of-interest and ethics policies, according to the report on the program reviewed by The Times.

The draft report, which was conducted by a law firm hired by the district, came in response to an article in The Times last year. It found that the Beverly Hills Sports Academy, which was held on campus, was operated by Paysinger and two school employees. The Board of Education requested the review to help understand the sports program after parents raised concerns.

The district had previously refused to release the report under a California Public Records Act request, citing attorney-client confidentiality.

Board President Noah Margo said in a statement that the law firm will investigate “the supposed leak of the information contained within a confidential draft report.”

“It is the responsibility of this or any other governing body to act thoroughly and show full transparency by investigating this supposed leak,” the statement said. Margo added that there would be no need for an investigation if The Times revealed the source.

The Times does not divulge the identity of sources who seek and are granted anonymity.

Supt. Gary Woods declined requests for comment.

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