Tay Anderson, Denver Public School Board Member, Faces New Sexual Assault Allegation
DENVER (CBS4) - Denver Public School Board Director Tay Anderson faces another allegation of sexual assault. Anderson has been under investigation since April for a previous sexual assault allegation.
Anderson denied the accusations, and Denver police told CBS4 no report had been filed.
Earlier this week, Mary Brooks Fleming, a mother of three students within the Denver Public School district, testified during a legislative committee at the state legislature saying a person in the district was sexually assaulting and targeting more than 60 children. She did not name the individual.
Fleming testified some of the children were violently raped by the employee and, in some case, asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
"Individuals were coming to my home asking for medical attention. One was as young as 14 and needed stitches. All in all, 61 high school students and one recent graduates would turn to me for help," Fleming said. "Sixty-two victims as young as 14! Sixty-one were undocumented or dreamers. All were so afraid of this one man."
The DPS school board released a statement Friday night saying they were informed of the accusations against Anderson, and Denver police was also aware of the allegations. Police investigators have spoken with Fleming about her comments, but have not heard from any victims.
Anderson was elected to the board in 2019. He released his own statement saying in part, "These allegations are troubling and must be investigated. We must ensure Denver Public Schools is a safe space for all students, and we must build systems in our district that continually protect our students from any possibility of harm while in our care."
Anderson's attorney, Christopher Decker, provided the following statement to CBS4:
Director Anderson categorically denies the most recent allegations which have been made against him. He looks forward to defending himself from these false claims just as soon as they emerge from anonymity into the light of fair investigation. To date, not a single allegation against Director Anderson has provided any time, place, individual, or details to which he can even respond. When and if this occurs, he will respond with specifics and corroborating evidence. To date, no law enforcement agency, no government agency, or even private individual has reached out to Director Anderson with any specifics of any of these claims. Director Anderson implores DPS counsel to respond immediately to the related allegations that they engaged in a criminal coverup to silence dozens of victims who are DPS students. He has no knowledge of, or participation in such a vile claim of silencing anyone, or claim, whatsoever. Finally, Director Anderson is saddened that so many have rushed to judgments about these inflammatory accusations. He again requests only a fair and responsible inquiry and investigation. He knows this will exonerate him. He continues to cooperate with the private investigation initiated by DPS and will cooperate with any criminal investigation which may be initiated or underway.
As his attorney, I am particularly concerned that while absolutely no details or facts have been released regarding any of these claims, it appears that many have already presumed his guilt, vilified him, and ignored his significant contributions to the DPS community. I ask you to remember that we are a nation of laws and principles. These must not be eclipsed by unproved and anonymous allegations regardless of their number or nature. The truth will be revealed and Director Anderson will be cleared of these poisonous and false claims.
Decker went on to say:
"Nothing is worse or more unacceptable than the harm caused by sexual assault upon our children, or the related harm caused by not believing those who have been victimized in this way. This is also why false assertions of these horrible crimes act to cheapen and diminish its importance. It is because of these two truths that responsible people and organizations must carefully investigate such inflammatory claims completely, and with an open and fair process."
