Today's Star-Bulletin: Kamehameha Schools' hiring of teacher challenged  (scroll down for links to Wisconsin articles from 1990s)

A national group known as SNAP, the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, is protesting Thomas J. Gardipee's employment at Kamehameha, saying he should not be working with children.

"He's clearly credibly accused of sexual misconduct with kids; that's why his own supervisors took action against him twice and why he's not teaching at a Catholic school now," said David Clohessy, national director of the Chicago-based network, founded in 1988. "Why would Kamehameha Schools be so reckless as to hire him?"

Kamehameha Schools said it stands by Gardipee, 52, who joined the staff in August 2002 and teaches world history to high school students at its Kapalama campus.

Gardipee did not respond to phone messages left at his home and school or an e-mail sent to his Kamehameha Schools account this week. His lawyer, Dean Choy, sent the Star-Bulletin a letter noting that criminal charges against Gardipee were dismissed and warning that the newspaper could be sued if it defamed him....

"No truly reformed alcoholic would even try to work at a brewery," Clohessy said. "No truly reformed child predator would even try to get a job at a school. And even if they hired him, gave him the benefit of the doubt at his hiring, which we would say is dreadfully reckless, they certainly owed their parents and staff and the public some honesty."

On a Web site where students rate their teachers -- ratemyteachers.com -- one Kamehameha student raved about a trip to Europe with Gardipee. The 2007 entry reads: "Gardipee owns!!!go on his europe trip." Asked whether Gardipee takes students on trips, Paulsen replied, "I'm told that he does that independent of KS -- that is not a KS-sponsored activity."  (Wow.)

(This article has 11 paragraphs of details about Gardipee's alleged improper conduct with minors in Wisconsin.  All of this just weeks after a Kam School girl was raped for three days in her dorm and KS officials did not report it.  When will the SB do an article about the CONVICTED child molester from Wisconsin who works in the legislature--LEON ROUSE?) 

read more from Star-Bulletin

Read the Wisconsin news articles about Thomas Gardipee: http://bishop-accountability.org/priestdb/PriestDBbylastName-G.html

Gardipee

Thomas J.

Accused 1992 of sexual misconduct with St. Lawrence Seminary HS students. Reportedly fired in 1988 for similar allegations then rehired. Criminally charged 1/93 with enticing child for immoral purposes and intimidating victim. Judge dismissed case, but noted evidence that Gardipee had disrobed in front of boy. Lawsuit 4/93 cited sexual abuse, harassment, and stalking of teen; expanded 1994, accusing Capuchins of racketeering; dropped 1995 due to WI S.C. ruling Pritzlaff v. Arch. of Milwaukee.
Milwaukee, WI

Source:
Milwaukee Journal 12.20.92; Milwaukee Sentinel 12.21.92; Milwaukee Journal 12.21.92; Milwaukee Sentinel 12.24.92; Milwaukee Journal 12.27.92; Associated Press 1.6.93; Christian Century 1.27.93; Capital Times 3.20.93; Milwaukee Sentinel 3.20.93; Milwaukee Sentinel 4.7.93; Wisconsin State Journal 4.8.93; UPI 5.27.93; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 7.29.93; Chicago Tribune 10.1.93; Milwaukee Journal 3.10.94

Assignments:
Sexual Abuse of Children in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Isely and Smith, 2.10.04 (additional source)

RELATED: Child molester back at work at Hawaii Legislature  (Leon Rouse:  Wisconsin, Hawaii, molester....hmmmmm....)