AG Launches Investigation Into Babylon School District

BABYLON, NY — New York Attorney General Letitia James officially announced a civil rights investigation into the Babylon School District Tuesday morning, after dozens of women claimed they were sexually and emotionally abused by teachers.

“Every student on Long Island and across New York deserves to feel safe and protected at school. The reports of sexual abuse of students at the hands of their teachers and coaches are troubling and must be investigated," James said in a statement. "My office is launching an investigation into the Babylon School District over these disturbing allegations. The safety and wellbeing of students — both past and present — is of utmost importance, and we will do everything in our power to protect their right to a safe learning environment.”

In a charged meeting last week, Babylon Board of Education announced the hiring of new outside counsel Chris Powers of Ingerman Smith LLP to investigate allegations. In a statement to Newsday, the Attorney General's investigation will be separate from Powers'.

James’ announcement comes one month after a Babylon High School teacher was escorted out of the classroom for “disturbing allegations.” The teacher has since resigned.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Suffolk County Police Department are "continuing to actively investigate the ongoing allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct that occurred at the Babylon School District." This is a separate from James' investigation.

Earlier this month, police told Patch that "no criminal activity" was found in an investigation regarding the teacher who was taken from the classroom.

Several other lawmakers also recently pressed for a state investigation. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone applauded James for the announcement.

“I am confident that the Attorney General will uncover the truth and demand accountability," Bellone said in a statement. “I am in awe of the courageous individuals who have come forward, both former and current students, to tell their stories. Their allegations must be thoroughly investigated and I’m confident that will now happen with the Attorney General’s investigation.”

New York State Senator Phil Boyle and New York State Assemblyman Michael Durst held a intended to hold a press conference Tuesday afternoon, to call on James to launch an investigation. It was cancelled after James' announcement.

"I have a strong suspicion that this type of predatory behavior on the part of some teachers is not limited to Long Island and is likely a statewide, and even national, problem," said Boyle. "While we remain confident that the vast, vast majority of New York teachers are dedicated and ethical educators, Assemblyman Durso and I are also calling on the Education Committees of the State Senate and Assembly to hold hearings and draft legislation to immediately protect all New York students from those teachers who are sexual predators.”

In response to James' announcement, the school district said it has received "a series of reports" relating to former and current employees.

"The reports are being fully investigated," the district stated. "The Babylon School District has assured law enforcement, the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and the New York State Department of Education of the district’s full cooperation with any, and all investigations they undertake."

At the public meeting, many alumni and current students shared personal experiences of their alleged abuse. Several stated the names of the alleged perpetrators — some who were still employed and working with minors. They claimed that administrators made them afraid to speak up, and felt like their fears and concerns would be ignored.

Brittany Rohl, 28, Class of 2011, was the first woman to come forward. In an eight-page letter addressed to the BOE shared on social media and with Patch earlier this month, Rohl claimed she was groomed by a sports coach at the age of 16. The teacher continued to groom and sexually abuse her until her second year of college, she said.

In an interview with 1010 WINS Tuesday, Rohl said she was "relieved" to hear about the investigation. An "outside perspective", she said, was necessary because of the town's "ingrained culture" of abuse.

"It's my belief that there is just year upon year of criminal activity, whether its failure to report suspected child abuse to authorities properly, or the actual harassment and abuse itself," she told 1010 WINS.

Rohl said she would "willingly" participate in James' investigation if asked.

"I trust that investigation as opposed to the ones that were going on," she said.

After parents refused to leave last week's meeting, the BOE announced that five teachers would be reassigned to their homes until an investigation was complete. The next day, hundreds of students took a stand by marching out of their classrooms in protest.

Linda Scordino, former BOE president, also blasted superintendent Linda Rozzi, saying that she and the district have known for some time about accusations of abuse. In a letter addressed to the BOE, Scordino claimed that she tried to take action against alleged perpetrators, but was often outnumbered by other board members.

She also said when Rozzi became superintendent in 2015, she and her late husband informed her about the district's tumultuous history.

"We wanted to give her some history and ask her for her help with this. She came with a board member. I outlined everything to her," Scordino said at the meeting. "It is just so infuriating to me when I hear her say, 'We didn't know anything about any of this.'"

The District Attorney’s office and Suffolk County Police advise any person that believes he or
she was the victim of a crime to contact the Suffolk County Police Department’s Special Victims Section at 631-852-6167.