West Mifflin council president says theft accusations are political 'witch hunt'

A school athletic director who is accused of theft maintains he did nothing wrong and the accusations are politically motivated.

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“This is one of the worst witch hunts I’ve ever seen, put it that way, and all the facts will come out, and I’m fully confident of that,” West Mifflin High School Athletic Director Scott Stephenson said.

Stephenson spoke out one day after he was suspended with pay from his job at the high school.

Superintendent Dan Castagna declined to comment but Stephenson confirmed that he was placed on leave after accusations that he used district funds to buy a $350 softball bat for his girlfriend’s daughter.

Stephenson said there is no truth to the allegation and he did not use school district funds to pay for the bat.

“I bought the bat and I paid cash for it, and that will be proven,” he said.

Stephenson said he has spoken with borough police and turned over the receipt to investigators.

Stephenson has been the high athletic director for 12 years. He is also the girls’ basketball coach and the president of the West Mifflin Borough Council.   He is up for re-election this year and said he suspects that may be the reason he’s being targeted.

“This doesn't faze me one bit.  I mean, it's the levels they want to stoop to. That's great,” he said.

Cox Media Group