TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A state and federal investigation into allegations of sexual abuse and institutional misconduct at the Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools is expanding, with the FBI reportedly interviewing current and former county officials, school administrators, former commissioners, and faculty members as part of an inquiry into whether district leaders concealed years of alleged abuse involving students.
The reported FBI investigation follows a series of civil lawsuits filed in Ocean County Superior Court accusing administrators at the district’s former Performing Arts Academy—now known as the Grunin Performing Arts Academy—of knowingly allowing teachers to groom and sexually abuse students over a period spanning more than two decades.
The civil lawsuits allege that administrators ignored repeated complaints, discouraged reports from students and parents, retaliated against whistleblowers, and protected employees accused of sexual misconduct to preserve the school’s reputation.
Federal authorities have not publicly confirmed the scope of the investigation or announced whether any criminal charges are being considered. Shore News Network reached out to the FBI field office in Newark, but did not receive any replies.
Shore News Network also reached out to OCVTS Board of Education President Stephen Scaturro. Scaturro did not answer an email for comments. Scaturro’s wife, Ruthanne, is the president of the Brick Republican Club and Vice Chairwoman of the Ocean County GOP.
OCVTS Interim Superintendent Timothy Rehm also did not respond to an email for comment. When OCVTS leaders respond, this article will be updated.
The allegations center on multiple former faculty members, including former acting teacher Douglas J. Bollinger, who was arrested in 2024 and later convicted of sexually assaulting a former student. Court filings allege Bollinger repeatedly assaulted the student on school grounds and during school-sponsored activities.
Another former instructor, Zachary M. Slater, pleaded guilty after being charged with grooming and sexually abusing students between 2013 and 2019 while employed at the academy.
Civil complaints also identify an unnamed teacher who allegedly engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student before later marrying that individual after graduation. According to the lawsuits, the teacher remains employed by the district. Those allegations have not been adjudicated in court, and the district has not publicly responded to the specific claims.
The lawsuits further describe what plaintiffs characterize as a culture of intimidation in which teachers, students and parents who attempted to report misconduct were ignored or faced retaliation.
Another lawsuit lodged by a former police officer who worked as a instructor at the academy claims he tried to report the abuses over many years, but school and county officials did not act on his whistleblowing complaints.
Yaiser, a retired New Jersey State Police major and former law enforcement instructor at the Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS), filed a whistleblower lawsuit in Ocean County Superior Court. He alleges district and county officials retaliated against him after he raised safety concerns, student bullying complaints, and allegations of staff misconduct.
Former English teacher Tom Rolston alleges he was targeted for discipline after attempting to expose an inappropriate teacher-student relationship. Separately, a former OCVTS law enforcement instructor filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging retaliation after raising concerns about student safety and district misconduct.
- The FBI is reportedly interviewing current and former Ocean County officials, OCVTS administrators and former faculty members.
- Civil lawsuits allege district leaders concealed decades of sexual abuse and grooming at the Performing Arts Academy.
- The investigation follows criminal cases involving former teachers Douglas J. Bollinger and Zachary M. Slater.
The allegations have also drawn the attention of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, which previously opened an investigation into claims involving retaliation and the district’s handling of student safety complaints stemming from the whistleblower litigation.
According to the recently filed lawsuits, administrators allegedly failed to notify law enforcement after receiving reports of inappropriate conduct, discouraged victims from pursuing complaints and allowed accused employees to remain in positions of authority over students.
The Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools district has previously stated it does not comment on pending litigation. Because the civil lawsuits remain active, the allegations contained in those filings have not been proven in court.
The reported FBI investigation represents the first known indication that federal authorities are examining whether the allegations extend beyond individual criminal acts to possible institutional misconduct or obstruction by district officials.
FAQ
What is the FBI reportedly investigating?
According to multiple reports, federal investigators are interviewing current and former officials regarding allegations that sexual abuse of students at OCVTS was concealed by district leadership.
Has the FBI announced criminal charges?
No. Federal authorities have not publicly announced any charges or described the scope of their investigation.
What schools are involved?
The allegations primarily involve the former OCVTS Performing Arts Academy, now known as the Grunin Performing Arts Academy, located on the campus of Ocean County College.
Who are the former teachers involved in criminal cases?
Former acting teacher Douglas J. Bollinger was convicted in a student sexual assault case, while former audio production teacher Zachary M. Slater pleaded guilty to child endangerment charges related to grooming students.
Are the allegations against administrators proven?
No. The claims against district officials are contained in pending civil lawsuits and have not been adjudicated in court. The district has not publicly addressed the specific allegations.
Sources: Ocean County Superior Court civil complaints; New Jersey Attorney General’s Office statements; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office records; publicly available court filings, Confidential sources within Ocean County
