Patrol Probe Finds 'No Criminality'

The administration's special investigation into alleged payroll irregularities and mismanagement in the Student Security Patrol has recommended that no criminal action be taken against the patrol's leadership.

The investigation's report placed "major responsibility for the difficulties encountered [by the patrol] on the University administration," according to an administration statement released yesterday.

The investigation found that one student "acted improperly," but that charges against two others "accused of improper profiting" should be dropped.

The report does not recommend disciplinary action against the students, urging only that copies of its findings be sent to the administrative boards of the College and Law School.

The Office of Government and Community Affairs yesterday issued a news release on the investigation's findings, and announced that the full text of the 26 page report will not be made public.

The three patrol members who prompted the investigation of the patrol by writing a letter in February to about ten deans and administrators said yesterday that the administration probe's report, which they saw Wednesday, is a "complete whitewash" of the controversy.

Sources said yesterday that the investigation found that Samford J. Mater, a third-year Law student, "acted improperly on some occasions" while he was coordinator of the 114-member subdivision of the University Police. Maier resigned from the position two weeks ago.

The statement released yesterday did not identify Maier by name, but sources who have seen the report said the findings quoted referred to Maier's actions.

Maier declined to comment yesterday on the report's contents.

The release said that the conduct of one student, whom sources identified as Maier, "is more accurately described as carelessness and casualness, where he should have been scrupulous; we have not gotten the impression he was defrauding the University."

The report said that all charges against two other patrol administrators-- Varnavas A. Varnava '75 and George D. Caruolo '75--"should be dismissed." Neither of the two was cited by name in the statement, but were named prominently in the students' letter of complaint as having participated in the alleged irregularities.

The news release said the report criticizes administrators for "lack of direction," which resulted in "unchecked growth and questionable payroll practices."

'No Knowledge'

Stephen S.J. Hall, vice president for administration, said yesterday in a written statement: "I accept the ultimate responsibility for the difficulties encountered. Although I had no knowledge that a problem might exist prior to receiving a letter from members of the patrol, nonetheless responsibility for its performance is mine."

The investigating committee, which was composed of Howard W. Emmons, McKay Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Lawrence Professor of Engineering, and Lloyd L. Weinreb, professor of Law, was set up by Hall three weeks ago.

Police Chief David Gorski said yesterday that the report was "about what I expected. They didn't find out much of anything that I didn't know." Gorski conducted an earlier investigation, which was superseded by the committee's work.

Gorski said that he has taken "no punitive discipline" against Lt. George A. Hill, who was in charge of the patrol until mid-March. Gorski said he has talked to Hill since the completion of the report last week, and commented. "I suspect George Hill has gotten a kick in the pants."

Hill was not mentioned in the statement, although sources said his actions had been discussed in the report. He declined comment yesterday