WARREN Former athletic director to serve probation for fondling student

A civil suit alleging emotional distress is pending.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A former Champion High School athletic director got no jail time for his conviction on two misdemeanor charges that stemmed from allegations that he fondled a student.
Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court sentenced George Carmichael to 30 days house arrest, a 120-day suspended jail sentence, a year's probation, and a $1,000 fine.
The judge said his decision was based on the fact that Carmichael, who is 60, has no prior criminal record.
In November, Carmichael pleaded no contest to one charge each of dereliction of duty and menacing. The judge found him guilty of both charges.
Carmichael, who had been a teacher for 39 years, also surrendered his teaching license, according to his attorney J. Gerald Ingram.
Carmichael retired last school year shortly after a high-school junior said he fondled her.
Thomas Wrenn, an assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, said Carmichael is accused of fondling the student, 16, in December 2002.
Civil suit allegations
A civil suit filed by the girl and her mother says the girl asked to use Carmichael's office telephone Dec. 19 to call her mother.
The girl had needed something from home.
When she attempted to use the telephone, Carmichael grabbed her buttocks, the lawsuit alleges. Another student who was walking by Carmichael's office saw what happened, the lawsuit notes.
The suit further contends that because of the school district's and Carmichael's actions, the girl has suffered severe emotional distress, including depression and panic attacks. The civil suit is pending.
"I cannot even begin to express the shock I experienced in your office that day," the girl said during the sentencing hearing. "From that moment on my life has been a nightmare, and I have you to thank for that."
The victim further stated that what Carmichael did to her was "not OK."
"I believe with all of my heart that you will get what you deserve, and I will walk away with peace that I did the right thing by standing up for myself," the victim said. "Maybe I have encouraged a girl somewhere else to do the same."
sinkovich@vindy.com