Coach Emma Painter Gets Prison in Sex Cover-Up - Updated

(Woodbury, New Jersey) Former Kingsbury High School hockey coach Emma Painter has finally been sentenced. For witness tampering and official misconduct, Painter was given four years in prison. She must complete two years before she will be eligible for parole.

Painter is appealing her sentence and will remain free on bail until her case is reviewed.

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Emma Painter Guilty in Teacher-Student Sex Cover-Up - Updated
[Previous 12/20/08 post]
(Gloucester County, New Jersey) Ending the non-jury trial of 46-year-old Emma Painter, Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson announced a verdict this week.

Painter, the former Kingsway High School phys ed teacher and coach, was found guilty of second-degree official misconduct and third-degree witness tampering.

The convictions resulted from Painter trying to persuade a Kingsway student to recant statements about a sexual relationship with former teacher, Erica Umosella. Twenty-nine-year-old Umosella pleaded guilty in January 2008 to third-degree official misconduct stemming from the sexual relationship with the female student. Umosella was sentenced to probation and prohibited from ever teaching in New Jersey again.

Judge Allen-Jackson said Painter tried to convince the student, through conversation and notes, that she held Umosella's job and freedom in her hands.

Painter did not ask the student whether the relationship actually occurred, but "told [the student] what she should do get Miss Umosella out of jail," the judge said.

Senior Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Audrey Curwin, said the case was about "protection of children from undue - and criminal - influences by those responsible for their supervision and education."

Painter remains free on $10,000 bail. Sentencing is scheduled for February 13.

Interestingly, Umosella received probation for an illicit relationship with a student while Painter will likely go to prison for attempting to cover up the teacher-student sex.


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2nd Teacher Charged in Teacher-Student Sex Case
[Previous 5/20/07 post bumped]
(Glassboro, New Jersey) Earlier this month, 28-year-old female gym teacher and coach at Kingsway Regional High School, Erica Umosella, was charged with engaging in sex with a 17-year-old female student.

Now, another gym teacher/coach at Kingsway, Emma Painter, 44, has been charged with second-degree official misconduct and third-degree witness tampering. According to Bernie Weisenfeld of the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office, Painter is alleged to have communicated with the 17-year-old student and urged her to recant her accusations of a relationship with Umosella.

Painter heads the Kingsway Department of Health and Physical Education and is the head field hockey coach. She has been suspended from her teaching position, with pay.

Painter was booked and released on $10,000 bail.