No Criminal Charges in St. George’s Sex Abuse Investigation

By Annie Shalvey
WPRI
June 3, 2016

http://wpri.com/2016/06/02/state-police-release-findings-of-st-georges-investigation/

[with video]

Members of the Rhode Island State Police announced Thursday their investigation into allegations of sexual assault and misconduct at St. George’s School has concluded.

After dozens of interviews with former students and current and former faculty, state police concluded that the state cannot proceed with criminal charges at this time.

According to troopers, the investigation focused on allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct by faculty members at the elite Middletown boarding school. Police said claims against seven former faculty members, one current employee and three former students were investigated.

Police also looked into claims that school administrators did not report alleged abuse to the Rhode Island Department of Youth and Families.

During their investigation, police said they worked in cooperation with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, which participated in interviews with approximately 40 witnesses, included alleged assault victims.

The determination that no criminal charges can be sought at this time is based on existing RI General Laws, according to state police, and laws that “defined the alleged conduct at the time it occurred.”

“Well I wish we had a better outcome,” said Maj. Joseph Philbin of the Rhode Island State Police. “Unfortunately, in some of the cases, the statute of limitations prevents you from prosecuting some alleged misconduct or criminal activity. And I wish we had a better outcome for the victims.”

The school’s Board of Trustee’s released a letter in January appologizing to the victims.

State police say that while the investigation is closed, they will reopen it if other victims come forward.

In a statement to Eyewitness News, St. George’s said:

“The school is aware that the R.I. Attorney General has declined to pursue any criminal charges related to St. George’s. St. George’s cooperated fully with the Rhode Island State Police’s extensive and thorough investigation.

Our focus remains on efforts to support survivors and on continuing to make the school as safe a place as possible for our current students.”