Grand Jury: Steubenville School Employee Tampered With Evidence
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- An employee with the Steubenville City School District has been indicted in connection with a controversial rape case that brought international media attention to the small Ohio town.
William Rhinaman, 53, an information technology worker for the district, has been charged with tampering with evidence, obstructing justice, obstructing official business and perjury.
The Ohio Attorney General's office would not elaborate on the allegations.
Attorney General Mike Dewine announced he would convene the special grand jury seven months ago, when two Steubenville High School football players were convicted of raping a 16-year-old who passed out after a party.
The Attorney for the young victim had this reaction to news of the indictment.
"It shows there's really been a strong commitment by the attorney general's office to uncover what the truth was and I think those were his exact words," said Wheeling attorney Bob Fitzsimmons. "We have to address the problems and we have to correct them and sometimes it requires punishment. Sometimes it requires indictments."
KDKA has obtained a copy of the secret indictment.
It charges that Rhinaman knew that an investigation was in progress and altered, destroyed, concealed or removed documents or records.
In count two, he is charged with destroying or concealing physical evidence of the crime or act.
Rhinaman is scheduled for a 1 p.m. arraignment on Wednesday in Steubenville.
Sources close to the investigation would not rule out the possibility of more indictments when the grand jury meets again Oct. 21.
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