April 12, 2006

Teacher accused of abuse

NEW JERSEY
Courier-Post

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

By SARAH GREENBLATT
Courier-Post Staff

GLOUCESTER CITY
A veteran teacher and golf coach at Gloucester Catholic High School has resigned amid allegations that he sexually abused a student two decades ago.

Gerald Scharff, 63, stepped down after a Gloucester Catholic alumnus reported he was subjected to "inappropriate touching" in the mid-1980s, said Andrew Walton, spokesman for the Diocese of Camden.

Scharff quit upon learning that he had been placed on administrative leave pending a review by a diocesan review board, Principal John T. Colman said in a letter to parents and guardians of Gloucester Catholic students.

In his letter, dated Monday, Colman urged parents to discuss the matter with their children and report any inappropriate activity they may have experienced.

Posted by kshaw at April 12, 2006 03:33 PM