SOLON, Ohio — The Solon Police Department has confirmed that its investigation into alleged wrongdoing by Solon High School Principal Erin Short has been closed and there will be no charges filed against her.
Larry Zukerman, the attorney for Short, told 3News earlier on Wednesday that his client had been cleared by prosecutors. Short was placed on paid administrative leave last month after the district said it received a "concern" about her.
In a statement released earlier this week, Short said the accusation of inappropriate conduct against her came from a 'fraudulent email.'
"On February 14, 2021, a fraudulent email was sent to members of the Solon Board of Education," Short wrote in her release. "The sender of this email created a fictitious email account by using a false name in order to falsely accuse me of inappropriate conduct. It is an unfortunate sign of the times that anyone can hide behind a computer, create a fake email account, and defame anyone of their choosing with a few key strokes."
On Wednesday afternoon, Superintendent Fred Bolden sent the following letter to staff and families at Solon High School:
March 10, 2021
Dear Solon High School Families and Staff,
I learned this afternoon and confirmed verbally with the Solon Police Department that the prosecutor’s office will file no charges against Solon High School Principal Erin Short. Ms. Short was placed on paid administrative leave on February 15, in keeping with the District’s standard operating procedures and pending the outcome of the investigation into a concerning email sent to our Board members on February 14.
We have not yet received the final results of the police investigation into this matter or formal notification from the prosecutor’s office, but we expect that shortly. Once we receive this information, we will have further details on when we will welcome Erin Short back to her duties as principal.
Sincerely,
Fred Bolden, Superintendent
Bolden did not specify the allegation made against Short when she was placed on leave, but did confirm the reported conduct would have occurred "more than a decade ago." The accusation was serious enough that police had to be contacted. Short has been on leave since Feb. 15 pending the outcome of the criminal probe.
"The contents of this email are 100% false. As I have stated before, I unequivocally and categorically deny the false and defamatory allegation contained in the email. From the moment that I became aware of the existence of this email, I have been entirely truthful, forthcoming, and cooperative with the Solon Board of Education and law enforcement and I will continue to cooperate until my name and reputation are cleared," Short added.
Bolden says the Solon Board of Education is also fully cooperating with police in the investigation.
Short has been a district employee for more than 20 years and was promoted to the position of high school principal in 2010. "I look forward to the conclusion of this investigation so that I can return to my position as principal of Solon High School. I intend to vigorously pursue all damages that I have suffered as a result of the false and defamatory allegations made against me," she added in her release.
Editor's Note: The below story aired on February 24, 2021
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