SERVICE GROUPS SHOW NO BIAS, AUDIT CONCLUDES : NONPROFITS CLEARED TO USE CONVICTS.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer

No evidence of discrimination was found in a four-month investigation of groups that use court-ordered workers, a probe sparked by the rejection of a woman's bid for membership to the local Elks Club chapter.

According to a memo released Monday by Newhall Municipal Court administrator Earl S. Bradley, the nonprofit groups proved to the court ``that no issues of discrimination existed, that they were properly defined as charitable, tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations, and that they were suitable to continue receiving court-referred community service workers.''

The audit focused on the membership policies, tax-exempt status and organizational goals of 35 agencies that use community service workers. Of those, 29 were deemed suitable to continue receiving community service workers.

Six were dropped from the program because they failed to respond to repeated requests for information or no longer served the Santa Clarita Valley.

``I think it's a healthy thing for the court to do,'' said Judge Alan Rosenfield who ordered the audit. ``They're getting free labor referred by the court. They have to adhere to government-imposed rules of fairness and nondiscriminatory practice.''

Rosenfield ordered the probe in May after the Santa Clarita Benevolent Protective Order of Elks denied a woman's bid for membership. On Wednesday, that woman and another female applicant are scheduled to be sworn into the Elks.

The judge said the women's expected admission had nothing to do with his decision to readmit the Elks to the court referral program.

``Whether this lodge accepts one, two or 10,000 women is not the issue,'' he said. ``The history (of the organization) is the issue.''

Rosenfield said he reviewed the group's membership goals, bylaws and policy changes such as the one made during a national convention in July to admit female members.

``I took a look at them and their statistics bear them out,'' Rosenfield said. ``They're putting their money where their mouth is.''

At Elks Lodge No. 2379, the audit's findings were greeted with relief - and lingering resentment.

``We didn't think anything was wrong in the first place but they have a right to do their study,'' said lodge secretary John Mumaw. ``I don't have any comment one way or another about the study. I'm glad it's over.''

The Elks use community service workers to maintain the Sierra Highway lodge, help serve food during special events and do other odd jobs the group can't afford.

During the investigation, the Elks were prohibited from using community service workers - those convicted of minor offenses who are sentenced to tasks such as cleaning up litter, assisting local organizations or removing graffiti.