Improper Touching By School Aide, Inaction By Superiors Found

By MICHELLE FRIEDMAN

A School Aide at Junior High School 126 in Brooklyn improperly touched or spoke to at least 20 female students but school officials failed to take action, according to a June 25 report by Special Commissioner of Investigation Richard J. Condon.

RICHARD J. CONDON: Top officials derelict.

The investigation found that Johnathan Williams - who began his employment with the Department of Education on Jan. 2, 2007 - was found to have sexually touched at least four female students, inappropriately touched seven female students, and behaved inappropriately toward one male - whom he encouraged to touch some female students - and nine female students.

School Officials Didn't Act

The investigation further substantiated that at least five female students previously made misconduct complaints, including sexual allegations, about Mr. Williams to the school's Dean, Carmen Virtuoso, Teacher Mel Kamenshine, and, in one instance, both. Assistant Principal Rose Chen and Principal Sheldon Toback also learned of the complaints, yet never referred them to Mr. Condon for further investigation.

Mr. Williams, who allegedly touched students while playing games of tag in the dark, admitted to SCI investigators that during one game in 2007, he found one female student and tickled her, accidentally touching her breasts. He responded to claims of sending inappropriate e-mail messages to students by saying that he recalled talking to one student, but never spoke to her about sex.

"The Department of Education is terminating Johnathan Williams," responded a spokeswoman, "and has placed his name on our ineligible list, which means he cannot work for the Department of Education ever again. Previous to this report, the Principal informed us that he will be retiring at the end of the school year. In addition, we are considering appropriate disciplinary action against the other three school employees."

The Commissioner has referred his findings to the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office for possible criminal prosecution of Mr. Williams.

The Commissioner has also recommended that appropriate disciplinary action be taken against all school officials who failed to notify the SCI of Mr. Williams's behavior. While each of them claimed to have taken steps to curb any inappropriate behavior, Mr. Condon said there was no evidence to support them.

The cited employees of J.H.S. 126 could not be reached for comment.