Sex Abuse Scandals
In December 2011, a former student of Vincentian Academy came forward claiming that, in 1994, she was molested frequently by a female teacher at Vincentian over the course of five months. The case was initially investigated in 1994, and McCandless police determined that the relationship was consensual, despite the alleged victim's claims to the contrary. As a result, no charges were pressed; however, the accused teacher no longer works at the Academy. After the details of this case were revealed in 2011, Sr. Camille Panich, who had been the principal during the period in which the molestation was alleged to have taken place, took a leave of absence. She eventually stepped down as principal and has been replaced by Richard Joseph Behun, former school counselor.
Another former Vincentian Academy teacher was also accused of sexual abuse. George Scott Zimmerman was employed by the school from 1993 until he was forced to resign in 1998. Over the course of his time there as a basketball coach, he is believed to have had abused at least 13 boys. Initially, reports regarding his misconduct had been largely ignored, and even after the school forced his resignation Vincentian made a deal with Zimmerman to keep quiet about the reason behind his departure. He was allowed to keep his teaching license. In 1999, he was investigated by police and discovered to be in possession of child pornography. However, the case was dropped due to the lack of a proper search warrant. Zimmerman was not arrested until another case sexual assault in 2008.
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