PITTSBURGH — Charges against a Plum Senior High School teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a student are serious, but his attorney told Channel 11 News on Tuesday that his client did nothing wrong.
Michael Deriso, Jason Cooper’s defense attorney, said the student in question was 18 when the relationship started and that others in her family might be pushing the issue.
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"We intend to have a hearing, and we expect to elicit testimony obviously that the relationship’s sexual nature was consensual and that she was over the age of 18 when it started,” said Deriso.
Deriso claims that by virtue of the female student’s age, Cooper did nothing illegal.
However, prosecutors disagree, claiming Cooper did violate the law and charging him with institutional sexual assault, corruption of and giving alcohol to a minor.
The victim in the case is required to attend Cooper’s court appearance Wednesday to testify, but Deriso believes she has no ill will toward his client.
“She has to be there. She has to testify,” he said. “I don’t believe she has any animosity or ill will towards my client.”
Investigators said they believe Cooper and the victim carried on their relationship while she was still a student at Plum Senior High School and continued it after she graduated.
"Maybe others within her family are forcing the issue. I don’t believe this young lady wants this to happen to my client,” said Deriso.
Cooper is one of two Plum Senior High School teachers facing similar charges. Joseph Ruggieri was released from jail and placed on house arrest earlier this month. Cooper and Ruggieri also both face a witness intimidation.
"I expect the case to get held for court tomorrow. I don't expect any surprises. We will be filing the appropriate motions to have the case dismissed and heard by a common pleas court judge,” said Deriso.
Cooper’s hearing is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday.
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