School Superintendent Charged With Destroying Evidence In Steubenville Rape Case

According to The Columbus Dispatch, court documents reveal that the Steubenville City Schools Superintendent erased emails, wiped computer hard drives and lied to investigators about knowledge he had involving high school athletes who were found guilty of raping a fellow student.

Superintendent Michael McVey, 51, pleaded not guilty to felony counts of tampering with evidence and obstructing justice, as well as misdemeanor counts of falsification and obstructing official business.

The charges against McVey stem from an investigation of his actions after he was made aware of the allegations by a 16-year-old West Virginia girl against the two teen boys of the Steubenville High School football team. The athletes were eventually found guilty of sexual assault in juvenile court. They were both were sentenced to youth detention centers and classified as sex offenders.

The Internet hactivist group Anonymous and social media helped draw national attention to the case.

The new filing alleges that McVey may have had someone else wipe the hard drives for him. He is accused of misleading authorities about the high school’s investigation and covering up rumors about sex and drinking at a teen party four months earlier.

McVey is currently on paid administrative leave.

Three others who were connected with the high school team were also charged, including two elementary school principals who were accused of failing to report child abuse, and a volunteer coach who hosted a teen drinking party that August evening. The coach was sentenced to ten days in jail and the principals were ordered to community service.

Kimberley A. Johnson (BIO) is the author of The Virgin Diaries and an activist for women’s rights. Like her on Facebook, Twitter or follow her on FB HERE.

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