Steubenville Rape Case: 4 School Workers Charged in Case
Four adults have been charged with conspiracy and participation in the cover-up of the Steubenville, Ohio rape of 16-year-old student. The school superintendent, along with the elementary school principal, wrestling coach, and volunteer football coach were all indicted on Monday, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced.
Superintendent Michael McVey faces three felony counts: one charge of tampering with evidence and two of obstructing justice as well as making a false statement and obstructing official business. Elementary school principal Lynnett Gorman and wrestling coach Seth Fluharty were both charged with the misdemeanor offense of failure to report child abuse.
A volunteer assistant Steubenville football coach named Matt Bellardine was charged with four misdemeanors: allowing underage drinking, obstructing official business, making a false statement, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The technology director and his daughter were indicted last month, bringing the total number of adults associated with the case to six.
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"People made bad choices and the grand jury said there are repercussions," DeWine said at a press conference today. "It took a long time to get all the information the grand jury needed so they could make their decisions. Barring any newly discovered evidence, I believe the grand jury's work is done."
The Steubenville case took the nation by storm when a 16-year-old student alleged that two football players raped her and others took video and posted to Facebook and Twitter. Eventually, the young men were found delinquent of the digital penetration of an intoxicated 16-year-old girl, which means that they were found guilty of rape in the state of Ohio.
Both Trent Mays, 17, and Ma'lik Richmond, 16, were sentenced to at least one year in juvenile jail and could be held until they turn 21 depending on behavior. The case divided the town of Steubenville, and cover-up rumors swirled, and continue to do so today. DeWine worked hard to make sure that anyone associated with the rape was held accountable.
"How do you hold kids accountable if you don't hold the adults accountable?" DeWine asked during the press conference.
