Records show Pioneer assistant coach fired after brawl was arrested for drug possession before season
Former Pioneer High School assistant football coach Vincent Wortmann was arrested for marijuana possession while he was vacationing in Florida last November, records show.
The arrest occurred on Nov. 11, 2011, one day before Pioneer played Detroit Catholic Central in a Division 1 MHSAA playoff game. Wortmann was on then-Pioneer head coach Paul Test’s staff as a defensive secondary coach for the 2011 season, though he said his assignment with the team ended at the end of the regular season.
Wortmann declined comment when asked if he disclosed the arrest to anyone at Ann Arbor Public Schools or PCMI, the third party hiring service used by the district to contract athletic coaches not otherwise employed in the district, prior to the 2012 season.
Test said Wortmann never told him of the arrest, but declined further comment when reached this week by AnnArbor.com. Wortmann was Pioneer's secondary coach in 2011 and promoted to co-defensive coordinator this year.
Vincent Wortmann
Photo courtesy of Osceola County Sheriff's Office
Wortmann’s shove set off a massive fight between the teams, but the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office opted not to charge Wortmann for his role in the brawl, ruling that there was insufficient evidence that Wortmann was not acting in legal defense of Test.
The charges against Wortmann in the Florida drug possession case were dismissed, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records, on March 1, 2012.
According to an arrest report from the Osceola County Sherriff’s office, Wortmann, 44, was in possession of about eight grams of marijuana at the time of his arrest and was originally charged with possession of cannabis under 20 grams, a first degree misdemeanor.
Bernie Presha, detective for the ninth judicial circuit court in Florida said it’s fairly common to have such cases dismissed because of the high volume of similar cases there. He said Wortmann cooperated with officers and posted bond.
Court records do not reveal why the case was dismissed.
“Sometimes, if it’s just simple possession, they’ll just dismiss it," he said. "... (They) don’t always explain why."
He added: “They probably felt that taking that kind of thing to a jury is just a waste of time. It was certainly enough for the police officer to arrest him, but we’re not going to prosecute."
According to the arrest report, a police officer detected the smell of marijuana while walking past a slightly ajar room door at a Motel 6 in Kissimmee, Fla. while on foot patrol. The officer looked inside the room and saw what he thought to be marijuana. Wortmann came to the door when the officer knocked and acknowledged it was his marijuana the officer had seen. He also forfeited a sandwich bag of pot that was in his suitcase to the officer, according to the report.
Wortmann told the officer he had bought the marijuana on the beach while on vacation.
Wortmann was hired by PCMI in August 2011. Coaches hired through PCMI need to have contracts renewed on an annual basis. According to Pioneer varsity basketball coach Rex Stanczak - also contracted through PCMI - the initial hiring process with PCMI is extensive, while renewal isn’t as lengthy.
Huron athletic director Dottie Davis said she was not sure if there is specifically a question on the form about being arrested during the reapplication process.
AAPS director of communications Liz Margolis declined to comment when asked if Wortmann disclosed the arrest to the district or PCMI, or whether he would be required to do so when reapplying.
“The District works closely with third party contractors to make certain that any contract employees who have contact with children or are in our buildings or on our grounds are not a threat to or a danger to children or staff,” Margolis said in a statement. “To that end the District adheres to the requirements set forth in the School Safety Legislation, hiring guidelines set forth by the (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) and any other applicable laws, and or Board Policies. The District will not comment on specific individuals.”
There was no record of the arrest in Wortmann's personnel file with the district, reviewed by AnnArbor.com following a Freedom of Information request.
Representatives with PCMI have not responded to multiple phone calls and emails seeking comment.
Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.
Comments
leonard
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 : 6:01 p.m.
When will info come out on the other kids that may be charged?
roiwhite
Wed, Dec 26, 2012 : 1:23 p.m.
A2.com... You all disgust me with this article. I don't know a coach that cared more about these kids and their football program than Vince. Now you want to try to justify his firing because he got caught with something thats going to be legalized in our state in the near future. This man is a good person so stop dragging his name in the mud!
YpsiGirl4Ever
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 6:41 a.m.
We are talking about a dismissed Cannibus charge in FLORIDA here right? Way to stretch a story that is frankly over (except the criminal charges the kid with the crutch is facing) Ann Arbor.com!
leonard
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 1:19 a.m.
Omggggggggg he had weed,he must feel terrible to be the first human in history to have had weed.
Soulful Adrenaline
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 5:24 p.m.
Pete and Paula, I had to bust your chops because I don't see how a brother's relationship issue with Mary Jane is newsworthy even if he works with kids. It would be newsworthy if he was tweaked out on meth trying to get Sandusky fresh with the kids.
Jack
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 1:50 p.m.
The man lost his job. So now annarbor.com wants to make him unemployable by everyone for the duration of his working life? For something he was not convicted of? Extremely low and in poor taste.
Michigan Man
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 11:35 p.m.
Other than getting high, what benefits come from smoking dope? Mind becomes sharp as a bowling ball, if you ask me.
boo
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 9:06 p.m.
Oh Yes! another story on "the brawl". keep working aa.com, you just might get that Pulitzer. do any coaches in the area do anything right? I'll be they do. but those stories are boring and don't get the clicks do they?
JRW
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 8:42 p.m.
I don't personally care about the marijuana arrest and subsequent dismissal for possession of a small amount, but I think the real issue is the PCMI and AAPS policy for arrests and criminal background checks for employees. AAPS needs to be transparent on its criminal background policies, even if arrests happen after the initial employment. AAPS should make it very clear what their policy is on criminal backgrounds for employees, even employees through 3rd party contractors. They need to define which crimes are offenses that will prohibit employment, and which crimes, if any, are allowed. They also need to define how often background checks are conducted after the initial employment, including 3rd party contractors where they hire personnel. Those are the real issues, not someone arrested with a small amount of marijuana and then the case is dismissed. Recreational use and possession of small amounts of marijuana is legal in some states in the US.
dk
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 8:36 p.m.
So an assistant HS football coach, probably making less than minimum wage when it's broken down, gets arrested for marijuana possession over a year ago but not charged with any crimes and it get's a story??? Wow.......I guess there isn't anything news worth happening right now.
YpsiGirl4Ever
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 6:43 a.m.
Seems not, DK. This is a NON-STORY. He was not charged, with means no criminal conviction exist. This was pretty low IMHO for some Editor approval, to write.
Doug
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 7:26 p.m.
Marijuana possession may not hurt you legally, but it doesn't do your job opportunities any good!
nickcarraweigh
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 7:10 p.m.
Whoever accesses this piece in, say, 2032 will most likely either shake their heads, or laugh out loud, or both.
jcj
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 8:20 p.m.
That's what most of us are doing now!
Radlib2
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 6:17 p.m.
The brawl was a boon for AA.Com, but it is over, long over. Please stop beating the skeleton of a dead horse.
jcj
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 8:21 p.m.
I am surprised you have not been censored for you lack of concern about a dead horse!
Dr. Fate
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 5:40 p.m.
The irony is that if Wortmann would have been high at the time of the brawl, he wouldn't have pushed the other coach, starting the brawl in the first place, and none of his drug possession history would have come to light. Pun intended.
YpsiGirl4Ever
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 : 6:46 a.m.
Who said he was high at the time of the brawl? Also, if that was suspected, A2 P.S. could have easily drug tested him, since he was an employee. Again, this is a Non-Story.
Paula Gardner
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 2:48 p.m.
We've had to remove many off-topic comments. Some of them were critical of the reporting of the story; others (including many that remain) show a community divide over marijuana. Most of what was removed was critical of the reporter, and we don't allow personal attacks. As with every story we publish, we welcome constructive public input on this story's merits. This is part of the background of a public school representative (including his employment by a 3rd party agency) who was the central figure in the football brawl last fall that resulted in at least one student facing felony charges as an adult. It also raises questions about the process by which people are hired to supervise children in the district.
TB
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 7:58 p.m.
Even so, an arrest with no conviction, unless the case is pending, has no place in hiring decisions if you take "innocent until proven guilty" seriously. Back in 2010 when AAPS employed non-salaried coaches without PCMI, did they require annual contract renewals? After this brawl, you see how easy it was for Pioneer to get rid of Wortmann? If he was an AAPS employee he probably would've been suspended with pay like the head coaches and shamed into resigning so they wouldn't have to deal with the paperwork of terminating him. And even going through a private contractor, it was still Pioneer's decision to use this guy, not like PCMI forced him on them. Suppose this brawl went down and got a little uglier and someone wanted to sue Wortmann for his role in it. AAPS would get stuck with a fat bill of damages.
Pete Cunningham
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 4:56 p.m.
Contracts with PCMI for coaches have to be renewed every season, so an employee has to be hired every year. Wortmann would have been re-hired by PCMI before this season.
TB
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 4:26 p.m.
He was hired in August, the arrest was in November. He was already hired by that point, so this has absolutely nothing to do with the process by which PCMI hires people. Besides, he was never convicted and the charges were dismissed. They couldn't use this arrest to fire/not hire him. If any employer tried to use arrests not leading to convictions in their employment decisions, the NAACP would sue their pants off for the discriminatory effects against black people. I guess they could search his stuff or make him take a drug test, but they'd probably have to wait until the next time he came to work for that. You seem to be implying that somehow if AAPS employed their coaches directly rather than through a private contractor, the wise bureaucrats at BALAS would have fired Wortmann for this arrest and used their psychic powers to hire someone who has never been arrested and would never have shoved Huron's coach to incite a brawl. Because those greedy corporations don't care about the safety of our kids, they only care about profit, right? This article has nothing to do with the brawl or AAPS personnel decisions. This is just needlessly dragging this guy through the mud.
Pete Cunningham
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 3:47 p.m.
Bashir Garain has been charged. Here is a link to an article about the case: http://bit.ly/WAyLwQ
snapshot
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 3:08 p.m.
I don't remember reading about any students criminally charged????
Nicholas Urfe
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 2:27 p.m.
He shoulda vacationed in Colorado.
Frank Lee
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 2:19 p.m.
"They probably felt that taking that kind of thing to a jury is just a waste of time", but Annarbor.com feels it's time well spent in the court of public opinion.
treetowncartel
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 2:06 p.m.
There are no beaches near Kissimmee
nickcarraweigh
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 7:07 p.m.
It's a case of the dog that didn't bark in the night, nothing more.
Pete Cunningham
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 2:55 p.m.
The exact words of the police report state, "Mr. Wortmann later spontaneously advised that he had purchased the cannabis at the beach while on vacation in Florida."
clownfish
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 1:30 p.m.
A waste of Floridians tax dollars and completely unrelated to the brawl.
Nick Danger
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 12:51 p.m.
Quit the pile on AA.com. The man lost his job.Why not go after all public figures and Ann Arbor .Com employees and their familys for any indescritions they may have had. This is cruel and more to do with punishment then news. What are you the national inquirer
RunsWithScissors
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.
This brawl has been the gift that keeps on giving. aa.com should send a "Thank You" bouquet to all involved in the melee.
blameyourself
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 12:38 p.m.
Well it sounds like the whole team was high, not just the coach......welcome to A2.
GeeWhiz
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 12:30 p.m.
This is really low-blow reporting by AA.com. The charges for possession of a minor amount of marijuana were dismissed so what does it have to do anything????
Tim Hornton
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 12:27 p.m.
Perhaps he has a medical marijuana card and needs THC to help with a sore back or headaches or something else doctors prescribe this prescription medication for.
Veracity
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 3:36 p.m.
I think that he would have divulged that if it were true, though I do not know if Florida recognizes the legality of "medical marijuana."
justcurious
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 12:20 p.m.
Oh grass. I thought the headline suggested a real drug problem. Silly.
zip the cat
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 12:12 p.m.
And what may I ask does this minior incident have to do with the case at hand.? I am sure that if I did a little digging I could find all kinds of dirty deeds the writer of this storey was involved in past and present. AA.com has a history of dragging your personel life thru the mud,relevent to the issue at hand or not.
jcj
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 2:07 p.m.
Zip I don't know how you get away with it. I said basically the same thing( maybe a little stronger) and get the censor police!
Tru2Blu76
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 11:54 a.m.
Isn;'t that interesting: an assistant coach arrested for drug possession. And then he gets involved in a violent incident at a school-sponsored football game. But of course there are "safe guards" in place to prevent violence prone drug users from "entering our schools." Really?? Think again - personal experience and some reading tells me otherwise - when it comes to "safe guards." Just like the "safe guards" which have been protecting us and our kids from prescription drug users entering schools with guns and causing national tragedies. (Now look at the psychiatric records of 90% of the school shooters - the list of names is a long one, going back to Columbine. ) Adam Lanza wasn't on Prozac: he was taking another prescription drug with a questionable history. Turns out: all the "behavior modification" drugs are sold regardless of side effects (like sudden impulse to kill or commit suicide). Wortmann: now that he's been fired, he'll be forgotten. I'd say, in view of the fact that he may return to using drugs, or eventually be taking psychiatric drugs for behavior modification - it'd be better to look more closely and keep track of him. Sound's crazy, doesn't it? "The District will not comment on specific individuals." - because they can't, that would open them to law suits on behalf of the (proven) drug user. Who needs protecting here?
Dan
Sat, Dec 29, 2012 : 2:52 a.m.
I wouldn't even call it getting "involved". The Shoving aside, as someone who worked closely with someone in an emotionally charged setting such as the coaching of an athletic team for a prolonged period, there is a certain amount of loyalty and defending coach Test seems reasonable if he saw there was a problem about to arise. It's not like he socked him in the face.
Basic Bob
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 10:05 p.m.
Now, if you said he was busted for beating up a guy in a bar and was high on PCP, you would have a point. That stuff makes you violent and unpredictable. All the other substances you mention do not cause people to go crazy. But if you give them to crazy people, they might become a little less crazy.
Brad
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 2:24 p.m.
You mean beyond the evidence in Reefer Madness? You still need more convincing??
clownfish
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
Perhaps some scientific evidence that marijuana causes people to be "violence prone"?
Billy
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
If personal experience tells you otherwise........you must of had some interesting and unique experiences...
aapsparent
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 11:43 a.m.
mmmm No question on the application about criminal history? So probably no background check? I thought this was mandatory policy when working with children/students? Someone might want to look into this.
Unusual Suspect
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 12:55 p.m.
"Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor? That's robbery, rape, car theft, that sort of thing." "Convicted? No." "Never convicted." Stripes.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 12:12 p.m.
the case was dismissed so in this instance at least there is no "criminal history" . I think normally the question that gets asked is "have you ever been convicted?" not "arrested"
Davidian
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 11:42 a.m.
I think possession of 8 grams of marijuana is a complete non-issue, and apparently the Florida justice system agrees with me.
Hemenway
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 4:17 a.m.
For folks who work around young people and are potential role models, substance abuse of any type is a very important issue. There should be better background checks and more comprehensive interview process for such positions.
Basic Bob
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 10:01 p.m.
No one said he is an addict. Most people who smoke marijuana do not get addicted. Some people get addicted to anything - food, sex, gambling, shopping, even marijuana.
Davidian
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 12:37 p.m.
TruBlu, and your point is what? That trying other drugs makes you a drooling lunatic that is damaged beyond all repair? I happen to partake on occasion, and yes, I have tried other drugs in the past. But I am extremely successful in my professional life. I have a wonderful familiy and a large set of friends. And the most creative and successful people I work with all have a similar history of experimentation. You keep subscribing to Reefer Madness....and I'll keep laughing all the way to the bank.
PattyinYpsi
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.
@Tru2Blu76: So is alcohol. And it's a rare drug addict who hasn't had alcohol problems too.
Tru2Blu76
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : noon
A non-issue? What about the proven fact that users of one drug frequently go on to "experiment" with other, more dangerous drugs? Just sayin': marijuana is a psychotropic, behavior modifying drug. It screwing with people's brains that trivial?
A2comments
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 11:23 a.m.
He worked for PCMI. AAPS used PCMI to fill the role, then told them not to send him any longer. He was not employed by AAPS, therefore he was not fired, unless PCMI fired him.
Pete Cunningham
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 4:24 p.m.
We've written about the details of Mr. Wortmann's dismissal in the past. Here's a link to the article: http://www.annarbor.com/sports/high-school/one-pioneer-assistant-fired-pioneer-and-huron-head-coaches-suspensions-extend/ And the article above states that he was fired, and that PCMI renews contracts on an annual basis.
Jack
Sat, Dec 22, 2012 : 1:33 p.m.
None of which, Mr. Cunningham, was in your article. It would have been a better article if it had been.
Pete Cunningham
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.
AAPS is who determines who is contracted by PCMI. Wortmann's contract made him an assistant coach with the team for the 2012 season until a letter was sent by AAPS requesting that this contract end prematurely. The exact words from the school district in an official letter to the Ann Arbor community were "the assistant coach has been released from his coaching duties at AAPS." I call that being fired.