Consent Laws Void Criminal Charges in Miss Hall's Case

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Criminal charges will not be filed against a former instructor at Miss Hall's School who is accused of sexually exploiting students because they were of consenting age.

 

A Pittsfield Police investigation was opened against Matthew Rutledge, 62, this past spring after allegations surfaced that he had been taking advantage of students at the all-girls school for decades. 

 

The investigation concluded that, under state law, no criminal conduct occurred. 

 

"Massachusetts law defines the age of consent as 16. While the alleged behavior is profoundly troubling, it is not illegal," Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said Friday in a statement.

 

Rutledge resigned in March when three former students came forward but victims say the administration had been told as early as 1997 of his misconduct.

 

Officials at Miss Hall's, established in 1898 as a ladies boarding school, previously said they were also opening an investigation. 

 

The DA's Office said it will not release further details regarding the investigation to protect the privacy of the women who came forth to disclose the allegations.