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Charges Dropped Against Former HS Coach Accused of Rape, DA Says

By Nicholas Rizzi | May 8, 2015 8:35am
 The charges were dropped against former high school coach Megan Mahoney, who was charged with rape in October 2014.
The charges were dropped against former high school coach Megan Mahoney, who was charged with rape in October 2014.
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STATEN ISLAND — Prosecutors dropped the charges against a former high school coach accused of raping a 16-year-old student.

Megan Mahoney, 25, a former coach at Moore Catholic High School, was arrested in October and charged with rape after a male student reported he had a sexual relationship with her for more than a year.

But District Attorney Dan Donovan said an investigation turned up "no DNA evidence, no admissions by the defendant, no eyewitnesses to the alleged acts, no forensic evidence and no recordings." The student later denied the relationship ever happened.

"Initially, the complainant and his family sought civil recourse in this matter and avoided speaking with detectives and prosecutors assigned to the case. At one point in the early stages of the investigation, the complainant denied any acts ever took place," Donovan said in a statement.

"In light of all of these circumstances, the ACD [Adjournment in contemplation of dismissal] is in the best interest of justice. The case is now considered dismissed and sealed."

Prosecutors originally charged Mahoney with rape, engaging in a criminal sex act and endangering the welfare of a child after the student accused her of having sex with him at least twice a week from October 2013 until January 2014.

"She’s maintained her innocence throughout," said Eric Nelson, Mahoney's lawyer.

Mahoney resigned from her post last January and the accusations led to the athletic director for the school, Richard Postiglione, being stripped of his duties, the New York Post reported. 

"Hopefully this will be the first step for her to get back to the job that she loves," Nelson said.

"Unfortunately as a result of this case, her reputation was severely damaged. The fact that it's dismissed will hopefully go a long way in getting her reputation restored."