CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The attorney for a former teacher accused of sexual abuse nearly 30 years said Tuesday that his client is not guilty.
Attorney George Laughrun is representing 73-year-old Monte Sue Diebolt, who faces a felony charge of taking indecent liberties with a child.
CMS said according to their records, Diebolt taught in the district for about 17 years.
Melissa Owen said her client, who is now 41 years old but does not want to reveal his name publicly, was sexually abused between August of 1982 and June of 1983. She said it happened while he was in Diebolt's sixth grade class at Marie G. Davis, which was an elementary school at the time.
Owen said her client's mother grew suspicious after noticing what Owen described as "some inappropriate behavior" and confronted school officials, who assured her nothing was wrong.
CMS officials said because of the length of time that's passed, it's impossible to check this.
But they did confirm that Diebolt went on to teach for CMS until 1989 at Northwest Junior HIgh.
Owen said her client struggled with coming forward before filing a report with CMPD almost a year ago.
They began investigating and Diebolt was arrested on Monday.
As part of that investigation, Owen said her client confronted Diebolt in a taped phone call.
CMS officials did not have any comment on the investigation -- they say they are letting police handle it ... and called this a personnel issue.
Diebolt is due in court Feb. 8 for a preliminary hearing.