Arrest Parks Worker For Improper Conduct Toward Teenage Girl
By DAVID SIMS
A Parks Department employee was arrested and charged with harassing and endangering the welfare of a 15-year-old girl Sept. 19, after the Department of Investigation was alerted about his conduct while teaching minors at a recreation center.

Edwin Lewis had been an employee of the Department of Parks and Recreation for eight years, working as a sports coordinator at the St. John's Recreation Center, near St. John's Park in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. In that job he worked with youths and oversaw youth programs, but he was removed in April 2008, when DPR supervisors informed the DOI of their concerns regarding his conduct and reassigned him to a job that did not involve interaction with children.

Sex-Abuse, Harassment Raps

After an investigation, Mr. Lewis was arrested and charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, one count of attempted sexual abuse in the third degree and two counts of harassment in the second degree. Mr. Lewis is alleged to have repeatedly approached a 15-year-old girl at the center, following her, approaching her when she was alone and at one point attempting to kiss her on the mouth.

"The city's recreation centers should be safe places for young people to enjoy activities guided by adults acting in their best interests," said DOI Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn in a statement. "This recreation worker is charged with conduct that ... fundamentally violated his responsibility as a city employee. Fortunately, DPR promptly removed him from contact with minors and notified DOI."

Mr. Lewis faces a year in prison if convicted of the most serious child endangerment charges. The case will be prosecuted by the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office.