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Acting Lansing Superintendent Denies Sexual Harassment Allegations

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Acting Lansing schools superintendent Mark Coscarella is denying allegations that he sexually harassed a former intern nearly 20 years ago. Coscarella is the district's leading candidate in its search for a permanent superintendent.

The acting head of the Lansing School District is denying allegations that he sexually harassed a former intern nearly 20 years ago. 

The Lansing State Journal reports that in 2000, Casey Sterle worked as an intern in the Holt Public Schools.  She claims Mark Coscarella, her then-mentor and current acting Lansing superintendent, danced in his underwear in front of her in a locked room. 

 

Sterle says she sent a copy of a 2002 police report detailing the incident to Lansing school board president Rachel Willis in June but never received a reply. 

 

In a written statement, Mark Coscarella says he is “angered by the false allegations” Sterle has made against him.  He says he’s retained legal counsel to pursue his options.

 

Coscarella is the district’s leading candidate in its search for a permanent superintendent. 

 

At air time, Lansing school board president Rachel Willis did not return our request for comment.

 

 

Kevin Lavery is a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things considered.
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