Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced today that Matthew Swajkowski, 36, a Verona High School teacher and Verona resident, was taken into custody on September 22 and charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, among other charges.
Swajkowski, who has been placed on administrative leave, was hired by the Verona School District in June 2013 and began teaching as a special education science teacher in the 2014-2015 school year. He has also received stipends to be an assistant tennis coach and the faculty advisor to the school’s chess club.
According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (ECPO), in July 2023, the Verona Police Department was notified that the defendant was engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct with the juvenile victim. During the course of a joint investigation conducted by the Verona Police Department and the ECPO, it was determined that the defendant engaged in sexual conduct with the juvenile in Verona. The other charges against Swajkowski are sexual conduct with a minor, and purposely or knowingly offering or serving or making available an alcoholic beverage to a person under the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages.
The ECPO announcement notes that, while the age of consent in New Jersey is 16, it is unlawful for anyone whose “legal, professional or occupational status” gives them “supervisory or disciplinary power” over a child who is at least 16 but less than 18 years old to engage in sexual conduct with that child.
Verona Superintendent Diane DiGiuseppe sent an email to VHS parents on Friday that was also posted to the VHS website. It did not name Swajkowski, but read:
“The accusations against and subsequent arrest of a Verona High School staff member are extremely distressing. The district takes any accusation of inappropriate conduct by a staff member seriously, cooperates with law enforcement authorities, and takes personnel action as permitted by law. In this case, as soon as the district learned of these accusations, the staff member was placed on administrative leave, and the district cooperated fully with the law enforcement investigation. Beyond that, I cannot comment on this case as it is an ongoing criminal and personnel matter. The district will act and provide further information as appropriate when the law permits. Counseling services will be available to students and staff upset by the allegations and arrest.”
Swajkowski is currently being held by county authorities and has a hearing scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, September 27.
The allegations here are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Verona Board of Education is having a regular meeting tonight, Tuesday, September 26, at 7 p.m.
