Lake Catholic High School Educator Now Faces Charges of Sexually Abusing a Student.
A former Lake Catholic High School educator, terminated last month amidst allegations of inappropriate conduct, now faces charges of sexually abusing a student.
A Cuyahoga County grand jury handed down a four-count indictment on Tuesday, charging 54-year-old Andrew Piczer of Newbury with sexual battery, a third-degree felony. The victim, a senior at the school, was 19 years old at the time of the incident. Prosecutors state that the sexual abuse occurred within Piczer's pickup truck at Madison Park in Lakewood, around midnight on October 22.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley emphasized the betrayal of trust in a statement, saying, “Teachers are entrusted to educate and provide safe environments for their students. Mr. Piczer violated that trust by engaging in sexual conduct with his student, and he will be held accountable.”
The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland terminated Piczer. However, it remains unclear what the diocese knew or should have known about Piczer’s misconduct. A civil investigation will likely follow if the victim elects to hire an experienced sex abuse lawyer.
Author: Andy Goldwasser
