New rape-case charges filed in Ohio
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Long-anticipated charges against adults implicated in the aftermath of a 16-year-old girl’s rape offer the community a chance to begin putting the case behind it, according to Ohio’s attorney general.
A grand jury on Monday charged a school superintendent and three others with lying or failing to report possible child abuse after an investigation prompted by the rape of the West Virginia girl by two high school football players.
“This community is rectifying the problem. This community is taking charge. This community is fixing things. This community is holding people accountable,” Attorney General Mike DeWine said Monday. “That’s what this grand jury did.”
The investigation included crimes committed in connection with the case against two members of the celebrated Steubenville High School football team as well as a separate alleged rape that happened in April 2012, four months before the assault that drew nationwide attention over allegations that prosecutors should have charged more players.
Hacker activists helped propel coverage of the rape case and press allegations of a cover-up, including reposting of a 12-minute Internet video made within hours of the attacks in which a former Steubenville student joked about the victim.
DeWine convened the grand jury to look into the behavior of school administrators and other adults in the community after the two players were convicted last March. Under the law, educators are required to report allegations of child abuse.
Two people had already been charged before Steubenville Superintendent Michael McVey, strength coach Seth Fluharty, volunteer football coach Matthew Belardine and elementary school principal Lynnett Gorman were charged Monday.
McVey’s charges include felony counts of obstructing justice and tampering with evidence and a misdemeanor charge alleging he made a false statement in April 2012. McVey’s attorney didn’t return messages.
Belardine, whose house authorities said was the scene of the underage drinking party that preceded the rape last summer, faces several misdemeanor charges, including making a false statement and contributing to underage alcohol consumption. Belardine will plead not guilty, said Columbus attorney Brian Duncan.
Fluharty was charged with failing to report possible child abuse in August 2012. Columbus attorney Tom Tyack said he had been contacted to represent Fluharty but could not comment.
