Mar 23, 2007 - Michelle Morano, 33, English teacher from West Essex High School has been arrested and charged with having a sexual relationship with a male student that began last year when he was 17.
According to a news release issued by the Attorney General's office, Morano's involvement with the student came to light when the Office of Insurance Fraud was conducting an unrelated investigation at the school.
New Jersey Attorney General Press Release dated Mar 23, 2007
NOT GUILTY PLEA Apr 4 - Morano pleaded not guilty. The student made the allegations while under investigation in an auto theft ring involving students at the school. (He was never charged with any offense.) The state Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor filed the sexual assault complaint after interviewing the student during the course of the auto theft investigation.
Morano is married with two children. She has been suspended with pay. She posted $200,000 bail shortly after her arrest. Her attorney says, "She's confident that when all the facts are known, she will be exonerated."
SENTENCED (sorta) July 25, 2008 - Morano pleaded guilty last month to twice having sex with a 17-year-old special education student beginning in late 2006. Morano was sentenced to three years' probation instead of the one-year jail term sought by a prosecutor.
"There is a difference between justice and vengeance," said lowercase judge Donald J. Volkert Jr. said as he sentenced Michelle Morano, who sat before him with her head bowed.
The mother said her family had been pleased that Morano showed interest in their son and had promised to work with him.TT - A 33-year-old woman preying on a special education student? That doesn't call for jail time?
"She told me she was different from the other teachers because she cared about the whole child," said the sobbing mother as Morano stared straight ahead. "We believed her. We trusted her."
