Isaac Vescovi

A former math teacher and girls’ basketball coach at Cambria Heights High School, in an answer to a federal civil rights lawsuit, has admitted he had a relationship with one of his students but insisted that whatever occurred “was consensual by both parties.”

One of the claims in the lawsuit, filed with the federal district court in Johns­town by attorneys for the student, was that Isaac B. Vescovi, 30, committed an “unlawful and outrageous sexual assault” of the student, who was a minor at the time, and that the ongoing relationship between he and the young girl was well known throughout the school and was covered up school authorities.

Vescovi, in an answer to the lawsuit filed last Friday by Johnstown attorney Terry L. Graffius, stated his actions toward the girl were mischaracterized as a sexual assault.

“It is specifically denied that (Vescovi) sexually assaulted the plaintiff and all contact between Vescovi and the plaintiff was absolutely consensual by both parties,” Vescovi replied in his answer.

The lawsuit also charged that the former teacher had a reputation for committing “heinous acts against students in the district and was rumored to be in unlawful contact with students in the district.”

Vescovi denied that he had such a reputation, and in his answer he stated, “It is specifically denied that the (student) suffered any type of abuse.”

The charges against the teacher and the school district were published in a lawsuit that was filed on June 20.

It was filed on behalf of the student under the pseudonym Jane Doe and named Vescovi and the Cambria Heights School District as defendants.

The district has not yet responded to the girl’s petition.

But in her complaint, the victim explained that the aftermath of her relationship with the teacher has been traumatic.

She suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, panic attacks and has recurrent nightmares.

The victim also avers she suffers from other conditions such as the loss of self-esteem, shame and embarrassment.

The record of the case also shows the result of the affair has greatly affected Vescovi.

He was arrested by the state police.

Earlier this year, he entered a plea to one felony count of having contact with a student.

Cambria County Judge Tamara R. Bernstein sentenced him to serve eight months to 23 months and 29 days in the Cambria County Prison.

The judge allowed him work release, but indicated after serving his time in confinement, he would be on probation for five years.

He must also register as a sex offender for 25 years.

According to the complaint, the relationship between Vescovi and the young girl began when she was in her sophomore year.

In its initial stages, the relationship involved “inappropriate flirting.”

The lawsuit characterized the flirting as “grooming” on the part of the teacher.

Vescovi denied he spent time “grooming” the girl as part of a personal scheme aimed at “illicit sexual exploits.”

The next step in the relationship involved communication between them via text and email.

That turned into an exchange of “explicit pictures and videos.”

In his answer, he maintained that she initiated that part of the relationship.

They then began meeting in Altoona.

“It is specifically denied that (Vescovi) persuaded her to travel to Altoona in order to meet him in a parking lot … any contact between Vescovi and plaintiff was absolutely consensual,” according to Vescovi’s answer.

Eventually, the two would meet in his Patton home.

The lawsuit charges that Vescovi then rented a hotel room in Indiana County where the two met. His explanation was once again that “all contact between (him) and plaintiff was absolutely consensual.”

The affair ended last October with Vescovi’s arrest.

It is alleged in the lawsuit, the relationship between the student and the teacher was “well known” by school authorities and others, including “throughout the Cambria Heights school buildings, with students, staff and faculty conversing openly about the illicit relationship.”

“The relationship was so well-known at Cambria Heights that the student body submitted and voted for Plaintiff and Vescovi as the cutest couple for the yearbook.”

The Vescovi answer did not comment on the accusations against the school district.

As to the “cutest couple” accusation, the Vescovi answer stated he was “without sufficient knowledge and information to form as to the truth of the averments.”

The school district is expected to soon file its answer.