Four Steubenville educators plead not guilty to grand jury charges

Four educators, including the suspended head of the Steubenville, Ohio. schools, pleaded not guilty to charges brought by the grand jury that investigated the rape of a 16-year-old girl by two high school football players.

Mike McVey, who is on paid administrative leave, and the others entered their pleas on Friday in Jefferson County court. The four were released without having to post bond.

“We are confident that we are going to prevail in these cases and prove they’re unfounded,” McVey’s attorney, Charles Bean, told reporters. “This was an investigation that went nine months and this is all they have?”

In all, six individuals have been indicted by the grand jury, whose investigation is completed, the state’s Atty. Gen. Mike DeWine told reporters last month.

McVey and three others are charged with trying to block the investigation into the August 2012 rape of the West Virginia girl by the football players. The players were convicted in March and sentenced to the state’s juvenile detention system.

Others charged Friday include the Steubenville schools’ former technology director, William Rhinaman, football strength coach Seth Fluharty and volunteer football coach Matt Belardine.

Elementary school principal Lynnett Gorman was accused by the grand jury of failing to report possible child abuse, apparently involving a teen sex and drinking party in April 2012 unrelated to the West Virginia girl’s rape, Gorman’s attorney, Dennis McNamara, said after the hearing.

“None of this has anything to do with her job,” said McNamara, who added that Gorman learned about the party second- or third-hand while checking to see if her son had been involved. Because parents of the teens knew of the party’s circumstances, “I don’t think she had an obligation” to report it, McNamara said.

McVey faces the most serious charges, including felony counts of obstructing justice and tampering with evidence and a misdemeanor charge alleging he made a false statement in April 2012. Belardine faces several misdemeanor charges and Fluharty was charged with failing to report possible child abuse in August 2012.

ALSO:

Estate of poisoned Illinois Lottery winner is settled

Prayers, calls for action mark vigil for Sandy Hook victims

Up to four people stabbed after Broncos football game in Denver

Follow L.A. Times National on Twitter