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By KALEN CHURCHER [email protected]
Friday, June 04, 2004 Page: 1A
HAZLE TWP. – The former Bishop Hafey High School athletic director and
one-time school principal turned himself in to police Thursday on charges he
sexually assaulted a student more than a dozen times during a three-year
period.
Richard Gregory Smith, 37, of Wilson Drive had sexual intercourse with a
15-year-old sophomore girl in his principal’s office as well as in his home
and vehicle, police said.
Smith is charged with sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, indecent
assault and corruption of minors. He was arraigned by District Justice Thomas
Sharkey of West Hazleton and released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
Smith was suspended without pay earlier this week, said Maria Orzel,
diocese spokeswoman. He has since resigned. A preliminary hearing before
Sharkey is scheduled for noon Wednesday.
According to a diocese statement, diocese officials learned about the
alleged abuse during a sexual abuse education and prevention training program
in early May. During the session, the diocese received “an unsubstantiated
report with a second-hand allegation against Mr. Smith regarding the sexual
abuse of a minor.”
The diocese investigated the allegation internally and gave its findings to
the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office in mid-May.
According to arrest papers:
The girl, now 22, met Smith as a seventh-grader; the abuse did not begin
until she was a sophomore in 1997. At that time, she was 15 and Smith was 29.
Smith said he coached the teen in basketball.
Smith estimates he had sex with the girl about 15 to 20 times from 1997
until 2000. During that period, he served as a teacher, dean of students, vice
principal and principal. After serving two school years as principal, he asked
to return to teaching. He has been a Diocese of Scranton employee since 1993.
Smith said he and the girl went “parking” numerous times, usually on
Harwood Road in Hazle Township.
The sexual relationship continued until August 2000. Smith said he loved
the girl and wanted their relationship to continue after she graduated. It is
unclear who ended the relationship.
Trooper Aprilaurie Whitley said Smith has cooperated with police. No other
alleged victims have come forward or been identified, she said.
In 2002, the Rev. Christopher Clay, who served as a Bishop Hafey chaplain
and teacher, was relieved of his duties while police investigated allegations
of sexual misconduct with a juvenile boy. Clay denied the allegations.
Kalen Churcher, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7329.