Crime & Safety
Substitute Teacher Accused of Lewd Act Is Dropped from Schools' Hiring Lists
School officials in Greenwich and Stamford say the teacher, who was arrested at Stamford's Westhill HS will no longer teach in those districts.
A substitute teacher in the Greenwich and Stamford public school districts will no longer teach in either district following his arrest on charges he committed a lewd act this week in Stamford's Westhill High School.
Michael Luecke, 72, of Stamford, was arrested Wednesday morning after a staff member reported finding him on the ground, according to NBC Connecticut. Thinking he was hurt, the staffer stopped and reportedly found him with his hand in his pants and in an aroused state, about 7:30 a.m. Feb. 26 in a locker area that overlooked a courtyard where students had gathered.
Stamford Police School Resource Officers were summoned and Luecke was taken into custody, according to the report. He was charged with public indecency, second-degree breach of peace and risk of injury to a minor. Luecke explained he was adjusting his trousers because of a wardrobe malfunction.
Following an appearance in state Superior Court in Stamford on Feb. 27, Luecke was released on $10,000 bond, required to wear an electronic monitoring device, be placed under house arrest, to stay away from schools and minors, and undergo a mental health evaluation, according to NBC.
In a statement released Friday, Greenwich Public School Human Resources Director Bob Lichtenfeld said, "Mr. Luecke has been used as a substitute teacher at the secondary level in the Greenwich Public Schools as recently as this past semester."
Lichtenfeld also said, "Substitute teachers undergo the same hiring scrutiny as do our regular teachers including fingerprinting, a review of any past criminal activity, reference checks, and a Google search. In addition, we supervise our staff closely, and peer-to-peer observations also are strong. We have no evidence of inappropriate behavior by Mr. Luecke while he was a substitute in our schools."
Lichtenfeld added, "Rest assured that Mr. Luecke will no longer work in the Greenwich Public Schools in any capacity."
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