Third former Miss Hall’s School staffer indicted in alleged sexual abuse scandal pleads not guilty

The third former staff member of Miss Hall’s School to face criminal charges stemming from the sexual abuse scandal at the private Pittsfield girls’ school pleaded not guilty Thursday, court records reveal. 

Matthew Johnson, 70, of Connecticut, was indicted Aug. 20 on one count of assault with intent to rape and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14, according to the Berkshire District Attorney’s office.

Johnson was arraigned Thursday and released with conditions that include staying away from all alleged victims and notifying probation officers of any change in his address or phone number, per court records. 

The charges stem from Johnson’s time at Miss Hall’s, where he worked as a science teacher from 1993 to 1994, according to the DA’s office. 

Prosecutors said evidence uncovered during the investigation into alleged abuse at Miss Hall’s showed that Johnson was dismissed in 1994, before the end of the school year. 

An attorney for Johnson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Johnson’s charges follow the release of a report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct at the school and criticism of school leaders’ handling of complaints.

Former students Hilary Simon and Melissa Fares previously came forward, publicly describing how they were groomed and preyed upon by former teacher Matthew Rutledge. 

Rutledge was indicted on three counts of rape and has pleaded not guilty. 

Jeannie Norris, who served as Miss Hall’s head of school from 1996 to 2012, has been accused of knowing that Rutledge was engaging in inappropriate relationships with students and failing to act. 

In late August, Norris pleaded not guilty to a charge of reckless endangerment of a child.