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A former student at a Manhattan Montessori school who is now a police officer has filed a complaint against a teacher at the school, alleging that she and he, now 22, had sex in a school van, inside the school and in a school-owned apartment, starting in 1996 when he was 13 years old and continuing for several years.
Lina Sinha, 38, has been charged with second and third degree sodomy and third degree rape for allegedly having sex with a minor beginning when she was 29. There are no charges that the relationship was forced but minors under age 17 cannot legally consent to sex.
Arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court, Sinha was released on her own recognizance after giving up her passport. Prosecutors said that she has ties in India and might be a flight risk.
It is alleged that Sinha engaged in sexual relations with the youth even after he transferred to another school and although prosecutors say the sexual contact with the youth continued after he turned 17, no charges can be brought as 17 is the age of consent in New York State.
Sinha's attorney, Henry Mazurek, has denied the charges and said that there was no sexual relationship between the teacher and student. He says that charges filed against his client are in retaliation for her calling the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau in March and filing a complaint that her former student had allegedly physically assaulted her.
However the Manhattan district attorney's office says that her allegations are unfounded.
The sex charges were brought just before the statute of limitations was due to expire. Underage victims of sexual assaults have five years from the time they turn 18 to file a complaint. The student will turn 23 next week.
Sinha is due back in court in January. 10-28-05
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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