BishopAccountability.org
	Student Files Lawsuit against Ex-Teacher Accuses Defendant of Sexual Abuse By Brian Brueggemann Belleville News-Democrat [Edwardsville IL] September 13, 2006 http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/news/ local/crime_courts/15506219.htm A student who alleged she was sexually abused in 2003 by a teacher at Metro-East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the former teacher and the school. The defendant, 28-year-old Michael Vonderohe, was fired from the school after his arrest in 2003 on a criminal charge of sexually abusing the plaintiff while she was a student there. He could not be reached for comment, and a school official said the school had not yet seen the lawsuit. Vonderohe pleaded guilty in 2004 to aggravated criminal sexual abuse. As part of a plea bargain, he was placed on probation for three years and ordered to give up his teaching certificate. He is required to register as a sexual predator for the rest of his life. The lawsuit accuses Vonderohe of exploiting a position of trust that he held with the plaintiff, who is now 18. Vonderohe was a popular art teacher at the school. The lawsuit also accuses the school and another defendant, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, which governs the school, of failing "to properly observe the activities of Vonderohe after having been specifically advised and/or made aware of improper conduct by him with a minor at the school." D. Jeffrey Ezra of Ezra & Associates LLC, which represents the plaintiff, declined to elaborate on the allegations in the suit. The lawsuit also accuses the school and church of failing to conduct a proper background check on Vonderohe. In 2000, while attending college in Nebraska, Vonderohe served a 30-day jail sentence for giving alcohol to a minor. At a court hearing for his guilty plea, the plaintiff's mother said Vonderohe had praised the plaintiff's creativity, and the plaintiff was wanting to study art in college. Ezra said the plaintiff has had "a difficult time since. That dream has not been fulfilled." Prosecutors have described the former student as shy, and said Vonderohe manipulated her. Prosecutors said the former student tried to stop his advances on several occasions, but eventually back rubs progressed to sexual contact at Vonderohe's apartment, in his car, at the school and at the girl's home. In early 2005, Vonderohe filed a clemency petition with the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, asking that his record be cleared and that he no longer have to register as a sex offender. Vonderohe stated in his petition that he was having trouble finding work and was worried what his neighbors would think. He now resides in Dallas City, which is in western Illinois near the Iowa border. "My wife and I have made wonderful friends and neighbors so far," he stated. "She and I are worried what will happen if they discover what I have been convicted of." Vonderohe stated in the petition that the former student made advances toward him, and when he rejected her, she "began a scheme to hurt me." Vonderohe stated that he pleaded guilty because his lawyer advised him that if the former student were to "cry and receive sympathy" at a jury trial, he'd go to prison for seven to 14 years. No action has been taken yet on the clemency petition. Contact reporter Brian Brueggemann at bbrueggemann@bnd.com or 692-9481.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.