NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Camden’s School Board president has taken a leave of absence amid allegations of sexual assault of a student in the 1990s. New Jersey’s governor is asking for him to resign immediately.
Wasim Muhammad was a social studies teacher at Cooper B. Hatch Middle School in Camden when the victim, in eighth grade at the time, says he began calling her beautiful and grooming her for a sexual relationship.
Her attorney, Jeff Fritz, says Muhammad had sexual encounters with her for years — in classrooms, at motels, and at his home, which is near the school. Fritz says he claimed her as one of his multiple wives when she turned 18 in 1997.
“Mr. Muhammad is claiming that she was a wife of his, a spiritual wife, through the Islamic faith. She denies that,” Fritz said.
Camden School District is also named as a defendant in the civil suit. Fritz says there’s reason to believe administrators knew about this relationship.
“She was unable to come forward for years, in fact, decades, due to embarrassment, humiliation, and a fear that she wouldn’t be believed.”
A spokesperson for the district says their top priority continues to be the safety and well-being of students.
Gov. Phil Murphy says the allegations are heinous and believes Muhammad should resign.
Muhammad’s attorney has not responded to a request for comment.