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Rhinaman retires from school district

STEUBENVILLE – William Rhinaman, the IT director for the Steubenville City School District, who is facing accusations of lying to the special Jefferson County grand jury investigating issues surrounding the Steubenville teen rape case, has retired effective Friday afternoon.

The city school board of education met in special session Friday to approved Rhinaman’s retirement.

Rhinaman has worked for the school district for approximately 27 years. He also worked for the Ohio Mid-Eastern Regional Education Service Agency.

The school board discussed the issue in executive session for 25 minutes before approving the single issue on the meeting agenda.

Board member Dr. Michael Giannamore abstained from voting.

“I have been the primary care physician for the Rhinaman family for the past 15 years and felt it was inappropriate for me to vote on this issue,” Giannamore said after the meeting.

The 53-year0-old Rhinaman was named in a four count secret indictment on Oct. 7 charging the Mingo Junction resident of tampering with evidence, obstructing justice, obstructing official business and perjuring himself during a six month long special grand jury investigation reviewing whether additional crimes were committed regarding the Steubenville teen rape case.

A series of parties last year ended with a Weirton girl being raped by two Steubenville High School students on Aug. 11.

Rhinaman’s daughter, Hannah, was indicted last month on two charges of receiving stolen property and one charge of theft.

Both Rhinamans are scheduled to appear before visiting retired Summit County Judge Patricia Cosgrove for pre-trial hearings on Dec. 6.

William Rhinaman was granted a paid leave of absence by the school board at the October board meeting.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)

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