Ocean Gate Superintendent Sued For Alleged Sex Abuse To Retire

OCEAN GATE, NJ — The Ocean Gate superintendent accused of sexual misconduct in a lawsuit will go on sick leave and then retire, the school district announced. Vanalesti's sick leave will run until his July 1 retirement.

Two people in the past filed lawsuits against Vanalesti for alleged sexual misconduct. One lawsuit claims he sexually abused a child over a four-year period after moving in with her mother.

A former student also alleges that Vanalesti made her lift up her shirt and expose her breasts so he could inspect a cut, a second lawsuit says. The student was 9 years old during the incident, according to the documents. Read more: Ocean Gate Superintendent Accused Of Child Sex Abuse: Lawsuit

Vanalesti will also finish his time as Ocean Gate Public School principal. An attorney for the school district, Christopher Supsie, denied both accusations of sexual misconduct to the Asbury Park Press.

District Business Administrator John Failla announced Vanalesti's leave and retirement in a note Wednesday to parents. The note does not mention the accusations.

"We wish him a speedy recovery and a wonderful retirement in the next phase of his life," Failla said.

Amos "Chip" Kraybill will serve as acting superintendent and principal. The Board of Education will seek a permanent replacement.

Board of Education member Richard Casey posted the letter on his Facebook page.

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"Thank you everyone for the support and patience while we search for the right individual to lead our wonderful school district," Casey said.

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