Steubenville rape case: Four school employees indicted

Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Four school officials have been indicted by a grand jury investigating the 2012 rape of a 16-year-old girl, on accusations they got in the way of the prosecution of the teens who perpetrated -- and used social media to brag about -- the rape.

Steubenville school superintendent Michael McVey was charged with one count of felony tampering with evidence and two counts of felony obstruction of justice, said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. McVey also faces two misdemeanor charges of making a false statement and obstructing official business.

Three others are charged with misdemeanors: elementary school principal Lynnett Gorman and wrestling coach Seth Fluharty are both charged with failure to report child abuse; volunteer assistant football coach Matt Bellardine was charged with four misdemeanors, including allowing underage drinking, and obstructing official business.

In March, two students, both Steubenville High School football players, were convicted of the rape. Ma'lik Richmond and Trenton Mays were sentenced to one year and two years respectively in a juvenile correctional facility.

The case began to receive national attention when Anonymous offshoot KnightSec alleged in December 2012 a coverup by local authorities to protect the students and the school's athletic program. The group spread videos and photo evidence of the incident, which included several hours of assault on the unconscious girl, that had originally been posted by the "rape crew" to brag about the assault.