Timeline Of Abuse:

Since 1982, the Leonia Board of Education has still not come to terms with its history of supporting a predator.   That needs to change.

Timeline Of Abuse As Documented By News & Magazine Article:

• The Record - Wed, Jun 9, 1971 – Pupils In Leonia Dig Fossils:

This 1971 article highlights Mr. A taking kids on class trip that he organized and where clearly approved by School.

• The Record - Wed, May 6, 1981 – Teacher Wants to Cancel Guilty Plea in Molestation: 

Article details Mr. A’s request to cancel guilty plea after receiving support from Leonia.

• The Record - Wed, Jul 15, 1981 – Former Teacher Wants To Retract Resignation:

Article discussed Mr. A’s attempt to return to teaching because of support he received.

• New York Times - Sept. 27, 1981 - Leonia Parents Support Teacher In Morals Case:

Article details the case and the support for Mr. A.

• The Record - Fri, Oct 9, 1981 – Former Teacher Indicted In Sex Assault On 9 Year Old Boy:

Article details his indictment.

• New York Times - Jan. 12, 1982 - Supporting A Neighbor:

Article details support for Mr. A. and the Mayor of Leonia speaking out at events to raise money for the case.

• The Record - Fri, Feb 12, 1982 – Judge Named For Trial Of Ex-Teacher:

Article details the selection of the Judge for the case and support for Mr. A and the monies raised for him.

• PAN Magazine – March 1982:

PAN is a Pro-Pedophilia Magazine which discussed the case with the following quote “Last January the All Saints Episcopal Church in this small town held a benefit supper for 38-year-old elementary school teacher John Anagnosti who resigned his teaching job about a year ago after one of his 9-year-old pupils accused him of making sexual advances. He was indicted by a grand jury in October. But instead of running him out of town, as, sadly, often happens in such cases, the community rallied to his support.”

• The Record - Thu, Apr 8, 1982 – Mental Exam Ruled Out For Boy In Sex Case:

Article details how Mr. A’s defense was provided letters written by students to Mr. A at the request of the school principal and substitute teacher.  These letters were trying to be used to exonerate Mr. A.

• The Record - Fri, Apr 16, 1982 – Teacher’s Sex Trail Starts Next Week:

Article details the trial and the support that was provided to Mr. A.

• Green Bay Press-Gazette - Sat, Apr 17, 1982 – Town Back Teacher In Sex Case:

Article details case in the Green Bay Wisconsin paper.

• The Record - Tue, Apr 20, 1982 – Jury Chosen For Sexual Assault Case:

Article details the jury selection, case details and the support provided to Mr. A by Leonia.

• The Herald News - Fri, Apr 23, 1982 – “Mr. A” Defended By Friends At Sex Assault Trial:

Article details Leonia Mayor Arthur Jones speaking at the trial along with others.

• Asbury Park Press - Fri, Apr 23, 1982 – Witnesses Testify For Teacher: 

Details trail witnesses including the Mayor of Leonia.

• The Record - Tue, Apr 27, 1982 – Leonia Ex-Teacher Declines To Testify In Sex-Assault Case:

  Article details the case and the support provided to Mr. A. 

• New York Times - April 28, 1982 – Teacher Convicted In Sex Case:

Article details case.

• Daily News - Wed, Apr 28, 1982 – Ex-Teacher Guilty In Child-Molestation Case:

Article details to convictions and money raised to support Mr. A.

• The Record - Wed, Aug 4, 1982 – Anagnosti’s Bid To Probe Jury Weighed:

Article details Mr. A’s attempt to overturn his conviction.

• The Record - Sun, Oct 10, 1982 – Teacher Gets Probation In Sex Offence:

Article details the minimal sentencing and the “unrelenting abuse” that supporters of Mr. A. conducted against the family of the abused child. 

• 2019: NJ Governor Signs New Sex Abuse Law:

  “It’s time to stand up for the survivors of sexual assault,” said Senator Scutari. “If our institutions cannot keep their members safe or hold their employees accountable, then we will. With this bill, we are making it clear; New Jersey stands with the survivors, first.”

• 2024: $6 Million Child Sex Abuse Settlement Against Leonia Township Board of Education:
  ”Two brothers were repeatedly sexually abused by John Anagnosti over a six-year period and this significant settlement brings a measure of justice and a degree of closure to them.”

• 2025 - May: Leonia Board of Education Choses To Take The Minimum Legally Required Steps To Disclose Sex Abuse Settlement To The Public:

  To date, the Leonia Board of Education has taken only the minimum legally required steps to disclose this settlement to the public. When asked multiple times “if they are concerned that more victims may come forward” if this settlement was disclosed more widely, the School Board Members have refused to answer this question and have refused to take steps to more widely disclose this information. You can find details about this discussion in the School Board Meeting minutes found here as well as the video stream of the meetings here.

• 2025 - May: Leonia Mayor & Town Council Commit To Review Policies & Statements To Strengthen Child Safety In Leonia:

  May 19, 2025, the Leonia Mayor and the Town Council acknowledge that they were not informed of Sexual Abuse Settlement reached by the Leonia Board of Education until recent public questioning. The Mayor and the Council also committed to review the policies and statements of the BGCA and bring that review back to future council meetings. You can find details about this discussion here.

• 2025 - June: Leonia Board of Education Continues To Ignore Sexual Abuse Victims As A Growing Number Publicly Detail Their Abuse

  June 17, 2025, four victims of Mr. A spoke publicly about their abuse and about the responsibility that the Board of Education has to create a safe space for the many additional victims that still need/want to come forward. Once again Board President Daniel Lee and the other members of the Board refused to address this crisis and continue to refused to accept the responsibility of their position. You can find the details of this discussion here. (Victim testimony starts at 1:25.30)

•  June 20, 2025 - The Record - Victims of decades-old sex abuse speak out - News Article

• June 30, 2025 - NJ.com - Our N.J. teacher sexually assaulted us 50 years ago, ex-students say. Here’s why they’re speaking now. - News Article

• July 2, 2025 - Mayor Bill Ziegler’s July 2025 Status Report - Protecting Our Children From Sexual Predators - Important statement from Leonia Mayor Bill Ziegler on the steps that the Bourgh of Leonia is taking to respond to the victims of Mr. A. These steps are a good first step for the Bourgh and are an example for the Leonia BOE to follow.

• More to come…

Since 1982 and continuing until this day, the Leonia Board of Education has still not come to terms with its painful past and its responsibility.

That needs to change…