A Geneva jury has found former Geneva Middle School Principal John DeFazio, Jr. not guilty of endangering the welfare of a child.
The Finger Lakes Times reports the jury deliberated for less than 30 minutes before returning the not guilty verdict. DeFazio was accused of touching a girl between the breasts during an incident in a temporary detention room. The girl testified, as did Geneva Police Officer Raul Arroyo, the School Resource Officer. DeFazio did not testify and there were no witnesses to the alleged incident.
DeFazio was placed on leave following the alleged incident and later reached a separation agreement with the district and resigned.
Related: Geneva School Board accepts resignation of Middle School Principal
DeFazio’s attorney said his client was the victim of a vendetta on the part of students who resented his efforts to enforce the school dress code and other regulations. “He was the new administrator in town, and he was made aware of disciplinary and dress-code problems at the school. There was even a protest,” Damelio said. “The students didn’t like it. He was the big, bad principal.”
Related: Attorney claims Geneva Middle School Principal the victim of a student “vendetta”
DeFazio hopes to return to education
DeFazio said he looks forward to returning to a new position in the education field.
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