A New York City high school teacher has been accused of pleasuring himself with his pants down during a virtual classroom session.
Robert Torres, a 48-year-old educator at Tottenville High School on Staten Island was allegedly caught on camera in November 2020 engaging in explicit behavior that left a fellow teacher horrified.
According to a report by the city’s Special Commissioner of Investigation (SCI), Torres ‘had his pants down and appeared to be masturbating’, during a Google Meet session.
The graphic and unsettling moment was allegedly witnessed by another teacher, who ‘instinctively recorded the incident on his cellphone.’
Thankfully, no students are alleged to have witnessed the disgusting act.
The shocking behavior allegedly occurred during a time when schools were shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and educators across the city had transitioned to remote teaching.
On the day in question, Torres, who earns a salary of $128,451, had been co-teaching a virtual class with approximately 15 high school students.
After the students logged off, the teachers were required to remain online for an additional 30 minutes to address any lingering questions.
Robert Torres, 48, a teacher at Tottenville High School on Staten Island was allegedly caught on camera in November 2020 engaging in explicit behavior leaving a fellow teacher horrified
On the day in question, Torres, who earns a salary of $128,451, had been co-teaching a virtual class with approximately 15 high school students
It was during that period Torres began to masturbate, the SCI report alleges.
The fellow teacher, stunned by what they saw on their screen, documented the incident and reported it to authorities.
The video evidence was then subsequently handed over to the NYPD but no criminal charges were filed after investigators determined no students were present during the alleged act.
Torres refused to be interviewed by the SCI, and ‘offered no rebuttal to the allegation,’ the report details.
The Department of Education (DOE) has condemned the alleged behavior in the strongest terms.
‘Behavior such as this is outrageous and totally unacceptable,’ said DOE spokeswoman Jenna Lyle.
Torres ‘was disciplined based on a determination by an impartial arbitrator,’ Lyle said.
Torres was an educator at Tottenville High School on Staten Island, pictured
Despite the shocking nature of the allegations, any disciplinary action taken against Torres remains unclear.
Although Lyle said Torres was disciplined, the specific punishment, ranging from a fine to suspension, were not disclosed.
Torres still remains listed as a teacher and dean at Port Richmond High School on Staten Island raising questions about the transparency of disciplinary procedures within the DOE.
