A former school administrator has been banned from teaching for 15 years after being caught in a 91Ƶcreep catcher91Ƶ sting.
Mark Louis Pierotti was head of Aspengrove School in Lantzville when he was fired last summer for allegedly engaging in inappropriate communication with a person who stated they were under the age of consent.
A consent resolution agreement released Tuesday, Aug. 8, by the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation, noted that Pierotti relinquished his certificate of qualification on Sept. 20, 2022, just eight days after the school reported the allegation to the commissioner under the Independent Schools Act.
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According to the agreement, Pierotti used the Grindr dating app to contact a person who listed his age as 21, but then communicated that he was 15 years old. The person was actually an adult male vigilante posing as a teen to try to catch sexual predators. Pierotti91Ƶs ensuing messages included, 91ƵYou know. Better not. You are too young and it91Ƶs not legal. So when ur of age let me know. I can come say hi and we can meet just so you know I91Ƶm not a jerk 91Ƶ I91Ƶm guessing you have hooked up w older guys before 91Ƶ I91Ƶm on my way we can talk and go from there.91Ƶ
The vigilante met Pierotti at a prearranged meeting place. Pierotti was sitting in his car and drove off as the man approached and used his cell phone to record the interaction. The vigilante then posted the cell phone video recording and Grindr messages on Facebook.
The administrator91Ƶs employment with the school was terminated Aug. 27.
On Oct, 6 the commissioner proposed a consent resolution agreement with Pierotti in accordance with the Teachers Act, in which he admitted the facts set out in the agreement are true, that his conduct was 91Ƶunbecoming91Ƶ and 91Ƶcontrary91Ƶ to the standard of the Professional Standards for B.C. Educators, and that he will not apply for, nor be issued, a certificate of qualification, an independent school teaching certificate or any other authorization to teach Kindergarten to Grade 12 for 15 years.
91ƵAfter being told that the youth was 15, years old, Pierotti continued to send messages, some with sexual content, and also arranged to meet the youth,91Ƶ stated Ana R. Mohammed, commissioner, in the agreement. 91ƵPierotti was aware of the age of consent and that sexual activity with a 15 year old would be criminal in nature. [His] conduct became known to the public through the Facebook posting [and his] conduct undermines the public91Ƶs confidence in the education system.91Ƶ
The agreement was signed July 27.
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chris.bush@nanaimobulletin.com
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