L.A. school dean suspected of concealing evidence in sex case

The dean, identified by authorities in court as "Mr. Hubbard," came under suspicion after detectives discovered that for more than a year he had kept photos, notes and a scrapbook that documented the relationship between Rooney and a former student at Foshay Learning Center.

Hubbard allegedly received the materials in spring 2007 from a friend of the former student, who had collected them. At the time, the Los Angeles Police Department was investigating allegations that Rooney had a long-term sexual relationship with the student, beginning when she was 15.

School officials said last week that they had put a dean, whom they identified as Alan Hubbard, on administrative leave in connection with the Rooney case.

"He has been removed from the workplace -- that is my concern -- and he will go through the legal process," David L. Brewer, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, said in an interview Wednesday.

Hubbard, who has not been charged with any crime, did not return calls seeking comment.

When detectives interviewed Hubbard, he told them he was "keeping them for Rooney" and said he didn't know exactly what the items were, said LAPD Capt. Fabian Lizzaraga.

The photos and notes are important because they show that Rooney and the student had a relationship outside of school. In court last week, prosecutors displayed portions of the scrapbook, which included photos showing Rooney and the girl kissing.

Lizzaraga said detectives had not known about the photos until last month, when they demanded that the dean turn over materials in his possession.

The school district has come under intense criticism for its handling of Rooney's case. In February 2007, the LAPD told district officials that Rooney was suspected of having sexual contact with a student. After initially putting Rooney in a desk job, school officials transferred him to Markham Middle School in Watts. He has now been charged with molesting two students there, as well as the former student at Foshay.

The district has launched an internal investigation into the matter, and on Tuesday removed two senior administrators from their jobs for failing to investigate the allegations against Rooney before moving him to Markham.