More Sexual Abuse Claims At Choate Rosemary Hall, Report Details

WALLINGFORD, CT — A new report released late Friday by Choate Rosemary Hall reveals several new allegations of misconduct against now former faculty members, who had previously taught at the prestigious private school. The misconduct dates back in some cases to the 1940s.

In an initial report released in April 2017 by an independent investigator hired by the school, it revealed several corroborated cases of adult sexual misconduct, school officials said. The April 2017 report identified at least 12 teachers who have been accused of sexual misconduct by Choate graduates and detailed the school's response to such instances when it was reported to them.

On Friday, Choate officials released new allegations of sexual misconduct against three faculty members who were not originally included in the April 2017 report. The new report also raises new allegations against three members who were already included in the April 2017 report.

After the April 2017 report was released, Choate Rosemary Hall retained the former U.S. Attorney for the State of Connecticut, Stan Twardy, and his Connecticut-based law firm, Day Pitney, to investigate any additional reports of adult sexual misconduct brought to the school's attention.

"We are writing to update you on Day Pitney's investigation and to share the findings, which Mr. Twardy presented to Choate's Board of Trustees today," Choate Rosemary Hall officials said in a news release. "Day Pitney corroborated new reports of misconduct by three former faculty members not previously named in the independent investigator's report. "

"Those reports, which were received after April 2017, include:

• Robert Iglehart: Day Pitney received, and was able to corroborate, multiple first-hand reports that Mr. Iglehart, a faculty member from 1957-64, used an outbreak of measles as a pretext for fondling students in a dormitory.
• Bette Spencer: Day Pitney received, and was able to corroborate, a first-hand report that Ms. Spencer, the wife of a former faculty member, engaged in sexual abuse, including kissing and fondling, with a student in the late 1960s.
• Carl Johnson: Day Pitney received, and was able to corroborate, a first-hand report that Mr. Johnson, a faculty member from 1969-2001, kissed and fondled a student who had recently graduated when that student visited campus in the mid-1980s. Day Pitney also was able to corroborate that Mr. Johnson engaged in sexually abusive conduct over a number of years with a different Choate student who graduated in the late 1970s during and after that student's time at Choate," according to a release by Choate officials including Michael J. Carr, Chair, Board of Trustees and Alex Curtis, Head of School.

Day Pitney also received new reports of misconduct concerning former faculty who were named in the 2017 independent investigator's report.

"Those reports, which were received after April 2017, include:

• John Joseph: Day Pitney received, and was able to corroborate, three first-hand reports concerning Joseph, a faculty member from 1944-77, including that he sexually abused the child of a former faculty member in the late 1950s and gave inappropriate massages to students.
• William Maillet: Day Pitney received, and was able to corroborate, four first-hand reports concerning Mr. Maillet, a faculty member from 1961-83, including that he sexually abused the child of a faculty member in the late 1970s and early 1980s, that he kissed a student, and that he gave inappropriate massages to students.
• Kenneth Mills: Day Pitney received, and was able to corroborate, a first-hand report that Mr. Mills, the husband of a faculty member who lived in Choate housing from 1975-83, kissed and fondled a student in the late 1970s," Choate officials said in a release.

Separate from Day Pitney's investigation, the school received "credible allegations of abuse" by former faculty member Sarah (Sally) Pont, school officials said.

"Counsel for the school was able to corroborate, through conversations with former dormitory prefects and others, that Ms. Pont engaged in sexually abusive conduct with a student over a series of months during the 1989-90 year. Immediately after learning of Ms. Pont's misconduct in May 2017, Choate contacted the school that was employing Ms. Pont, resulting in her termination," Choate officials said.

See related: Sexual Abuse At Choate Rosemary Hall Dates Back To 1960s

In the joint statement, Carr and Curtis say, "On behalf of the Board and the entire Choate Rosemary Hall community, we apologize deeply to all survivors who suffered abuse at our school and to their families. We also recognize that Day Pitney's letter details troubling instances where the school failed to address reports of misconduct appropriately. We know that our constant vigilance is required, and we have taken many steps and committed resources to protecting our community. We are firmly resolved to ensuring the safest possible learning environment for our students and responding decisively to any reports of misconduct.

As part of our ongoing efforts, we have taken comprehensive action to provide the best possible support to our students and alumni, and we invite you to review our work by visiting the Community Wellness & Resources page on our website. This webpage contains information to help alumni make reports and to access the therapy fund that assists alumni who experienced adult sexual misconduct while at Choate.

We continue to be grateful to our former students who have come forward to share their experiences. We are inspired by their bravery and appreciate their willingness to share their stories so that we can all better understand this history and foster a strong and safe community at Choate Rosemary Hall," Carr and Curtis conclude in the school's statement.