Uniondale, NY - September 17, 2015 - Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced the arrest today of a former Queens school dean who allegedly filed an application with the Uniondale Union Free School District (Uniondale UFSD) that contained false information about his criminal history.
William Rini, 59, of Manhasset, was arraigned this afternoon in front of District Court Judge James Darcy and charged with one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 1st Degree (an E felony). The defendant was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on September 22. If convicted he faces a maximum sentence of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison.
“The defendant is charged with seeking employment as a substitute teacher with a school district but lying about his criminal history,” Acting DA Singas said. “It’s critical that applicants to jobs in schools answer questions honestly and undergo background checks so that we can keep our kids safe from predators. Thanks to the sharp eyes of the Uniondale Union Free School District and its cooperation with our prosecutors, this defendant never made it near a classroom and will be held accountable for his actions.”
Acting DA Singas said that it is alleged that the defendant attended a job fair on July 15, 2014 for substitute teaching positions at the Uniondale UFSD. Rini went to the district’s personnel office on August 5, 2014, and submitted an application for the position of substitute teacher and allegedly indicated that he had never been convicted of a crime in the questionnaire packet. The application contained the question “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” Rini placed a checkmark on the line indicating “No.”
Rini had previously worked as a dean at Intermediate School 145 in Queens and pleaded guilty on May 5, 2004, to one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Rini’s teaching certificate was revoked by the Commissioner of the New York State Education Department on November 14, 2006.
The defendant’s application as a substitute teacher was denied by the Uniondale UFSD. The school district referred the matter to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office in October.
Assistant District Attorney Mary Ruddy of Acting DA Singas’ Government and Consumer Bureau is prosecuting the case. Rini is represented by Victor Knapp, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.