STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – An Ohio school superintendent and three more people have been indicted following a grand jury investigation prompted by the rape of a 16-year-old West Virginia girl last year and a possible cover-up by school officials.
Steubenville superintendent Mike McVey faces the most serious charges, including obstructing justice. A principal, a strength coach and a volunteer coach also are charged. They’re accused of interfering with the investigation or failing to report possible abuse of a minor, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced Monday.
The grand jury had investigated whether adults like coaches or school administrators knew of the rape allegation but failed to report it as required by state law. The attorney general’s office says the investigation also included possible crimes committed in connection with another alleged rape four months earlier.
A judge convicted two Steubenville football players in the August 2012 rape.
McVey, 50, was indicted on five counts one count of tampering with evidence, a third degree felony; two counts of obstructing justice, a fifth degree felony; one count of falsification and one count of obstructing official business, both misdemeanors, DeWine said. If convicted on all counts, McVey could nearly six years in prison.
Matthew Belardine, 26, of Steubenville, has been indicted on four counts: “underage persons offenses concerning beer or intoxicating liquor,” obstructing official business, falsification and contributing to the unruliness or delinquency of a child, all misdemeanors. Belardine is a former assistant Steubenville high school football coach and, if convicted, could serve nearly two years in jail.
Lynnett Gorman, 40, principal of West Elementary School in Steubenville, and Seth Fluharty, 26, of Wintersville, an assistant wrestling coach and special education teacher for the Steubenville City Schools, were each indicted on one count of failing to report child abuse or neglect, a misdemeanor that carries a 30-day jail term.
The panel has indicted a total of six people. In October, the grand jury indicted William Rhinaman, 53, of Mingo Junction, on four counts and his daughter Hannah Rhinaman, 20, on three counts connected with the cover-up.