Former Pittsburgh School Police Chief Speaks Out

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The former police chief for the Pittsburgh Public Schools is speaking out for the first time, calling the sex assault charges against a former school police officer "the tip of the iceberg."

"This is not acceptable. These kids after '99 were abused, sexually assaulted. Didn't have to happen," Former Pittsburgh Public Schools Police Chief Robert Fadzen said.

Robert Lellock is charged with sexually assaulting four boys in a storage closet at Rooney Middle School in 1999.

Shortly after the first incident happened, Fadzen wrote a memo saying, "I want to go on record as recommending Lellock's immediate termination."

He also asked school authorities to call in professional counselors and Pittsburgh police. Instead, Lellock was suspended for 20 days.

"This case is a tragedy. Every case after '99 is on the school district's hands. What has happened to these children in the name of reputation is just not acceptable," Fadzen said. "This is the tip of the iceberg and it's a sin."

In a memo written by Robert Lellock in 1999 after telling school officials the incident didn't happen, Lellock stated, "I am sorry I didn't remember the facts at that critical incident meeting."

Also in 1999, school administrators state, "Mr. Lellock, I cannot stress how disturbing this case is to me and all of those who have reviewed it."

The case was not reported to Pittsburgh police for three months. Lellock received a 20-day suspension.

Wednesday night, KDKA's Marty Griffin asked Superintendent Dr. Linda Lane about the documents.

"I have not been here for 13 years. As I said, I've already said what I have to say about that."

This investigation is not over. Pittsburgh police along with the district attorney's office are trying to determine whether anyone in the school district broke the law by failing to report the allegations properly.

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