Several former and current students of Manchester Academy are accusing Richard Darden of administering physical exams during which he touched their genitalia even though he was not a licensed physician.
The exams took place at his home, the private school and the Yazoo City Medical Clinic, according to the civil suit filed today in Yazoo County Circuit Court.
"Plaintiffs and their parents were advised that the physicals were required to be conducted by Darden in order for the students to be eligible to participate in football and in other sports at Manchester," the suit states.
The lawsuit also alleges the school allowed Darden, then a ninth-grade biology teacher and dean of students, to act as an athletic coach and trainer and use his home as a "clubhouse" for athletic teams where male students would shower after games or spend the night.
Attorney Cynthia Stewart, who is representing Darden in his criminal case, could not be reached for comment.
Darden resigned May 7 from the school, where he had worked for more than 25 years. The lawsuit alleges Darden's resignation coincided with several male students' discovery of a secret room in Darden's home that "was used to voyeuristically watch minor boys."
The Yazoo County Sheriff's Department said earlier this week it had obtained an arrest warrant for Darden, who faces three counts of voyeurism and three counts of child exploitation.
Darden reportedly checked himself into an unidentified rehabilitation facility shortly after his resignation and before he could be questioned by authorities.
Assistant District Attorney Steven Waldrup said today he has not been notified whether Darden is still in rehab or in law enforcement custody. Sheriff Tommy Vaughn did not return calls for comment this morning.
If convicted, Darden could face 40 years in prison on each exploitation count and five years on each voyeurism count.
In addition to Darden, the suit names Manchester Academy, the clinic and the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Inc. as defendants. The suit alleges the entities allowed Darden to abuse his position of authority, fostered an environment where employees did not report questionable contact or behavior and failed to investigate the students' claims of abuse.
Manchester Academy Headmaster Bryan Dendy would not comment. He referred questions to the school’s attorney, Jeff Walker.
“I have not seen the complaint so I cannot comment,” Walker said.
The Clarion Ledger
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