East Bay school official arrested on suspicion of having sex with underage student
Gerard Flaherty, a 43-year-old Pleasant Hill resident, was arrested at about 10:15 a.m. and booked into Martinez Detention Facility with no bail, the Walnut Creek Police Department said. Police did not immediately release further information, citing the ongoing investigation.
Flaherty is the climate and culture supervisor at the Contra Costa School of Performing Arts in Walnut Creek, according to the school's website. He has been employed by the school since July 2023, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Catherine Foster, the school's executive director, said Thursday in a statement to the Chronicle that Flaherty was put on leave and directed all inquiries about the investigation to the police.
'Creating a safe learning environment for our students is the top priority,' she said.
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