PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Rhode Island Supreme Court has denied a former Providence school administrator’s request to overturn his simple assault conviction for massaging a teenager’s foot without permission in 2021.
Olayinka Alege, 44, was found guilty in December 2023 of forcibly rubbing a 15-year-old boy’s foot at The Edge Fitness Club in Warwick.
BACKGROUND: Former Providence school administrator convicted of assault in 3rd trial
The decision followed three separate trials. In 2022, Alege was first found guilty of the misdemeanor, but he later won his appeal and was granted a retrial. The second jury was unable to reach a verdict, resulting in a mistrial. A third trial ended in a guilty verdict after five days of testimony.
Alege appealed again, arguing that the trial judge, Luis Matos, made several legal errors and violated his constitutional rights during sentencing.
However, the Supreme Court rejected those claims on Monday, leaving his conviction, one-year probation sentence, and requirement to complete 140 hours of community service in place.
Prosecutors said gym surveillance footage captured Alege approaching the teen and asking about his sneakers before removing one shoe and sock and rubbing his foot. The victim later told the court he found Alege’s actions “violating and offensive.”
While Alege did admit to touching the victim’s foot, he denied “rubbing it for a prolonged period,” according to the police report.
Before working in Providence, Alege faced similar allegations in Florida, but was never criminally charged. In 2009, the Sun Sentinel reported that five minors accused Alege of popping or cracking their toes as punishment while he was an assistant principal at a Tampa school.
PRIOR COVERAGE: PVD schools admin charged for forcibly rubbing stranger’s foot
Read the full Rhode Island Supreme Court opinion document below.
State v. Olayinka Alege (Opinion)Download
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