A former teacher has pleaded not guilty to charges of raping a student multiple times.
Tuesday morning, Paul Andre, 56, of Route 41, Solon, pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree rape and four more of first-degree criminal sexual act, felonies, stemming from three incidents between 2006 and 2008 in Homer and one in Solon. Cortland County sheriff’s officers arrested him Oct. 22.
A former student had told police that Andre – a teacher at Homer High School –raped her at many locations, including a supply closet, the parking lot at Glenwood Cemetery and his Solon home.
She was afraid, she told investigators. Her statement to police, given Oct. 15, was included in documents filed in Homer Town Court.
“I never felt I could say no to the sexual intercourse with Paul or any other type of sexual abuse by him,” the victim said. “Paul was much bigger than me and he was a teacher in a position of authority over me. I felt threatened that if I said no to him he would hurt me or could affect my grades.”
The victim said she met Andre through a club he operated, the Living History Club, otherwise known at the cannon club. It wasn’t sanctioned by the district, she told police, because members would fire live cannons and take part in Civil War re-enactments.
The allegations came to light when the victim sent a letter in September to Homer High School Principal Douglas VanEtten. “The purpose of sending the letter was to ensure that this would never happen to another student,” she told police. Sheriff’s Sgt. Peter Wright contacted the victim Sept. 10 to begin the investigation.
Andre was employed by the Homer Central School District from 1993 until September, when he retired after being placed on administrative leave.
In October, Andre gave a statement to police saying he had never been accused of inappropriate contact with a student.
His wife, Leah Andre had asked investigators whether the incidents were ongoing, and as police asked her whether she had concerns they might be, said “Yes, I have concerns,” court documents show.
However, she then read a text message that she repeated to investigators: “Say nothing at all, tell them we have counsel and I should not speak to you guys.”
Andre’s lawyer Thomas Jackson requested a conference, which was scheduled for 11 a.m. on April 22.
