School districts, by law in New Jersey, pay legal fees for public employees found innocent.
Mar 29, 2007 - A former gym teacher who was found not guilty in the late 1990s after three females alleged official misconduct and attempted sexual contact during his term, pleaded guilty to a count of coercion. He was "charged on a count related to sexual misconduct." [No explanation given.]
In the late 1990s, he was involved in "intensive litigation involving indictments brought down from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and a grand jury." Due to a difference in burden of proof, he was found responsible for his actions in the civil proceedings.
As a result, tenure charges were filed against him, which were compromised, [no explanation] and he was asked not to return to the school district.TT - Emphasis and puzzlement ours.
Although he sued the district for $325,000 in legal fees and $100,000 in back pay, only $150,000 was paid because due to state law, a public employee charged with a criminal offense who is found innocent is required to have their legal fees paid back by the district, according to Vignuolo.
