St. Mary Academy – Bay View hires law firm to review policies and look into misconduct

ST. MARY ACADEMY - BAY VIEW recently hired DeSisto Law LLC to perform an independent review of the school's current policies and determine if, and investigate, any other misconduct occured at the school involving students.
ST. MARY ACADEMY - BAY VIEW recently hired DeSisto Law LLC to perform an independent review of the school's current policies and investigate misconduct at the school involving students.

EAST PROVIDENCE — St. Mary Academy – Bay View recently hired Providence-based law firm DeSisto LLC to perform an independent review and analysis of the school’s policies and training protocol, as well as determine if occurrences of misconduct had occurred at the school.

In an email sent Wednesday to parents, Bay View President Sister Marybeth Beretta said an alum, not identified in the email, recently disclosed publicly that an unidentified coach made “inappropriate sexual advances” toward her while she attended the school in the 1980s. Beretta said this disclosure “remains very concerning,” prompting Bay View to take a “proactive risk management approach” to all issues of “actual and potential misconduct regarding our students.”

In late April, the Wall Street Journal reported that Arizona Rep. Martha McSally, a Republican congresswoman who is running for U.S. Senate and originally from Rhode Island, is alleging she was pressured by a high school track coach to have sex with her during her senior year when she was 17. Jack Dwyer, identified by the paper as the coach in question, denied the allegations.

Beretta said in the email DeSisto Law will recommend improvements to the school “if necessary” as part of its review. The firm will also investigate any other potential instances of misconduct and “provide a report” to Bay View, Beretta said.

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“It’s the protocol we’re taking to make sure that everything is in line and we’re aware of everything,” Beretta said in a brief interview Thursday before declining further comment on the inquiry.

A message left for Mark DeSisto – who is leading the firm’s review of Bay View – seeking comment has yet to be returned.

In the email, Beretta asks for anyone with knowledge of “any past or present misconduct” to contact the law firm either by email at bayview@desistolaw.com or by phone at (401) 649-4314. Information can also be disclosed anonymously.

“The school views this process as a collaborative effort on the part of everyone connected with Bay View,” Beretta said in the email. “With your help, Bay View can work to better provide an environment where our students feel safe, secure, and protected. I will send out periodic reports on the progress of this independent review.”

James Bessette is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Research@PBN.com.

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