News Summary
The Rhode Island Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of Olayinka Alege, a former Providence Public Schools administrator, for assaulting a teenage boy at a Warwick gym. Alege was found guilty of forcibly massaging the foot of a 16-year-old in 2021. Despite his appeal, the court concluded there was substantial evidence supporting the conviction, highlighting concerns about his past behavior and the hiring practices in schools. This ruling emphasizes the importance of scrutiny in cases involving authority figures in education.
Providence, Rhode Island – The Rhode Island Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction of Olayinka Alege, a former administrator of Providence Public Schools, for the assault of a teenage boy at a Warwick gym. The court’s decision, which maintains the original judgment, was announced following Alege’s appeal of his conviction.
Alege, now 44 years old, was found guilty in April 2022 of forcibly massaging the foot of a 16-year-old boy while they were at Edge Fitness Club in Warwick in 2021. He faced further legal scrutiny when he appealed the ruling, but the court upheld the conviction in December 2023. Associate Justice William P. Robinson III wrote the decision, concluding that there was ample evidence to support the finding of probable cause.
During the appeal, Alege challenged the evidence used against him, claiming that it was insufficient to warrant a guilty verdict. However, Justice Robinson countered Alege’s claims, indicating that the evidence presented at the original trial justified the conviction. Alege also contested the admittance of testimony from another individual, who reported that Alege had similarly grabbed his foot at the gym earlier in February 2021.
The court’s ruling highlighted that Alege received a fair trial, with Judge Luis M. Matos demonstrating patience and respect throughout the proceedings. Following the guilty verdict, Alege was sentenced to one year in prison, which was suspended, and was placed on probation. Additionally, he was mandated to complete 140 hours of community service.
The assault incident reported by the teenage victim described how Alege approached him at the gym, engaged in conversation about the boy’s shoes, and then removed the boy’s shoes and socks without consent before massaging his feet. The young boy reported the situation to his father, who subsequently contacted the police.
Further scrutiny into Alege’s actions led to a second trial in 2023, during which additional testimonies revealed information about Alege’s behavior towards other gym-goers, indicating a pattern of inappropriate conduct. Following the incidents involving Alege, he was arrested in May 2021 and subsequently resigned from his position where he was responsible for overseeing middle and high school principals in Providence.
The hiring of Alege by former superintendent Harrison Peters in 2020 has come under fire, particularly after learning that Alege had previous allegations of inappropriate behavior regarding male students. Notably, in 2009, allegations surfaced claiming Alege engaged in a practice referred to as “toe popping” as a form of punishment, an issue that was not disclosed to Peters during the hiring process. As a direct result of the subsequent public outcry and scrutiny generated from Alege’s actions, Peters’ contract as superintendent was terminated in May 2021.
The Rhode Island Supreme Court’s ruling affirms the justice system’s commitment to addressing and responding to allegations of inappropriate conduct, particularly when it concerns individuals in positions of authority within the educational sector. The implications of this case extend beyond Alege, highlighting the critical need for transparency and thorough vetting procedures in the hiring of school personnel.
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HERE Resources
Rhode Island Supreme Court Upholds Alege Conviction for Assault
Rhode Island Supreme Court Upholds Conviction of Former Educator
Rhode Island Supreme Court Upholds Conviction of Former School Administrator
Rhode Island Supreme Court Upholds Conviction of Former School Administrator
Additional Resources
- ABC6 News
- Wikipedia: Assault
- Providence Journal
- Google Search: Providence Rhode Island crime
- GoLocal Prov
- Google Scholar: Assault case law
- KPTV News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Assault
- Patch Warwick
- Google News: Providence school administrator criminal conviction
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
