Pittsfield — The first Eagleton School administrator to be charged in the midst of an ongoing criminal investigation and arrest sweep over allegations of abuse of students at the former school was arraigned today in Berkshire Superior Court, making him the 16th former employee to face charges.
James Yeaman, 61, of Monterey, was charged with “misleading a police officer or other person.” The original police reports on all former staff were impounded, along with details of police complaints against Yeaman, the school’s former program director, making his alleged involvement unclear.
Yeaman’s arraignment comes on the heels of Monday’s arraignment in Southern Berkshire District Court of 9 more former employees, staff who police say either physically harmed, injured or intimidated some of the school’s mentally and emotionally “disabled” boys and young men. Another staff member was charged with destroying video surveillance film in an attempt to cover up some of these incidents, many of which happened while students were held in restraints.
The state became aware of what it called a “systemic propensity” at the school to cover up incidents, and in a report documented a pattern of violence against students. The school was put on probation early this year, and was shut down by the state in March.
It is unclear whether Executive Director Bruce Bona will face charges. Multiple calls to his Southfield home were not returned.
Yeaman pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance.
