Laurel Highlands High School teacher accused of attempted sexual assault of student
A Laurel Highlands High School teacher and former Uniontown City Council member is charged with attempting to sexually assault a student at the school.
The Laurel Highlands School District placed Martin Gatti, 50, on administrative leave when the report was made and has removed him from his position, Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said in a Facebook post Thursday.
“Allegations of this nature will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Aubele said in the statement. “We are grateful for the swift action taken by LHSD administration to remove the defendant from school grounds; the thorough investigation by PSP – Uniontown; and the bravery of the individual who has come forward to report these alleged crimes.”
In an interview Thursday, Aubele said the allegations involved a girl under 16.
According to the criminal complaint, Gatti called the student, who does not have a class with him, into his classroom on Jan. 9. The student had felt uncomfortable with Gatti’s general conduct, and asked a friend to wait in the hall, the complaint said.
According to court documents, the girl provided a written statement to police, as well as a recording of the comments Gatti made to her, which she considered sexual in nature.
The student told police Gatti asked her to “give me a kiss,” and continued to pressure the student into kissing him, the complaint said.
When the student felt “obligated” to offer to kiss Gatti, court documents said, Gatti told her to close the door and asked, “Are we gonna do it?”
When the student asked Gatti to clarify what he meant, Gatti responded, “What are we doing?” court paperwork states.
After she told Gatti a friend was coming, Gatti told her he was frustrated “because it is illegal regardless of the victim’s age or consent because of his job,” according to the complaint.
The incident was reported to state police on March 10. The student provided an audio recording she had made of the incident, the complaint said.
Gatti is charged with attempted institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and corruption of a minor.
No preliminary hearing or bail information was available Thursday.
Aubele said investigators had been directed to comments on Facebook about other alleged potential victims. He asked anyone with information on the case or any similar conduct to contact PSP Uniontown, Fayette County Crime Stoppers or the district attorney’s office.
“We would want anybody else with further information or other reports of similar conduct to come forward,” he said.