NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The man chosen to lead schools in the South Bronx is facing sexual assault and harassment allegations, which have surfaced just days after Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor David Banks announced his appointment.
Roberto Padilla, a former Newburgh superintendent, reached an agreement with the school district to remain on the payroll for two years after his ouster, the New York Post reports, per court documents and school sources in Newburgh.
Padilla, a former New York City teacher and principal of West Prep Academy on the Upper West Side, is a defendant in a civil suit filed by two former female teachers last month in state Supreme Court. However, the Orange County District Attorney's Office said it would not bring criminal charges following an investigation due to a lack of evidence.
High school English teacher Elizabeth Walsh, 36, and former Newburgh elementary school principal Una Miller, 41, accused Padilla of sexual harassment during a San Diego conference in August 2021, naming him, the Newburgh school district and the school board as defendants.
According to court documents, Padilla, who is described as the conference's "nightly event coordinator," allegedly put his arm around Walsh, rubbed his knee against hers, and touched her inappropriately while intoxicated during one night of the work trip.
Padilla then allegedly made explicit noises while watching a couple across the couch display their affection and questioned whether the man would "get lucky" that night.
The plaintiffs' claim said later that night, Padilla sat with Miller, ran his foot across hers, then kicked it to uncross her legs. She said when she withdrew from his reach, he smiled.
Miller claims Padilla grabbed her by the wrist while she was walking to the bathroom so that their bodies touched. Court papers allege that Miller shouted, "What the f**** is going on?" Then, Miller said that as she tried to leave the bar, Padilla said, "You can’t leave without giving me a hug."
According to the documents, Padilla also allegedly traced his finger over a bird tattoo on Walsh's back while commenting on the figure's "big red a**."
He reportedly received a suspension and a resignation offer after the school district's human resources received a report about him.
Sources told the Post that Padilla was allowed to continue receiving a $279,000 salary through November 2023, plus his new salary for his latest gig.
In response to the outlet, the school district shared a January statement after his settlement was reached.
"There were thorough investigations into allegation of sexual harassment brought by two former female employees that we concluded, based upon the advice of legal counsel, would not be criminal in nature, even if proven at a hearing," the statement read. "Only such proof would have given the Board the ability to set aside the Superintendent’s Contract without any further monetary obligations toward him."
Miller and Walsh, in a joint statement, blasted the decision to appoint Padilla, who had previously been named the New York Superintendent of the Year by the Council of School Superintendents, to the South Bronx role.
"We are shocked that the New York City public schools, Chancellor Banks and Mayor Adams are putting their trust in Roberto Padilla after his conduct that compelled us to file a lawsuit against him," they said, according to the report. "We previously trusted Padilla, and our careers were derailed because of it."
"The students, families and educators of the Bronx and District 7 deserve better than Padilla, who we saw firsthand create a culture of fear and intimidation," Miller and Walsh continued. "We advise the city to re-evaluate this important decision."
Nathaniel Styer, a Department of Education spokesperson, told the outlet that "every claim of harassment should be thoroughly heard and investigated."
"These claims were investigated and Mr. Padilla directly addressed them with the community during the hiring process," he added.
Meanwhile, others have told the Post that there are more accusers out there.
"Una Miller and Liz Walsh were not the first two women he harassed in Newburgh," said Rich Desiderio, the girls basketball coach in Newburgh. "Drop in the bucket."
A spokesperson for the New York State Council of School Superintendents did not respond to the outlet's request for comment.
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