George N. Schmidt – June, 2007
The most notorious sexual predator in the history of Chicago’s public schools system has disappeared from the Illinois Sex Offender data base, a Substance investigation revealed.
James Moffat, who was a personal friend of the Daley family when he served as Chicago’s Deputy Superintendent of Schools (Management Services) during the 1970s, was convicted of more than 30 counts of criminal sexual misconduct during a two month trial in January and March 1987. On March 23, 1987, Moffat was convicted of sexual crimes against five victims, four boys and one girl. All of the victims had been students at Kelvyn Park High School, where Moffat served as principal from 1980 until being removed from the school in March 1984 when investigations of allegations of sexual misconduct against him were lodge with both the Superintendent of Schools and with Cook County State’s Attorney (Richard M. Daley).
Despite his political influence, Moffat was finally indicted in 1985. He continued to receive his pay as a Chicago Public Schools administrator throughout the criminal trial.
Moffat was found guilty by Criminal Court Judge Francis Mahon on ten counts of indecent liberties with a child and 13 counts of official misconduct. The crimes involved sexual acts that took place at the school, often during school hours, with all five of the victims.
Moffat’s defense team included Anne Burke, who has since gone on the a position on the Illinois Supreme Court.
The Moffat case was not only important to Chicago because it showed that justice could be done, but also because it showed that with clout some of Chicago’s most powerful citizens could get away with rape — provided that the victims were carefully selected from the least powerful groups in the city.
Throughout the investigation that led to Moffat’s eventual indictment and then through the trial and even up to the sentencing, many of those who supported Moffat were convinced that he would never spend a day in jail because his power and influence were too great. Not only did his defense team consist of some of the most powerful people in Chicago, but Moffat’s supporters went out of their way to intimidate those who wanted him brought to justice.
After the Moffat conviction, Moffat’s supporters continued to hold powerful postiions in Chicago’s public schools and at the school system’s central office.
https://www.substancenews.net/articles.php?page=7940
PRINCIPAL IN SEX CASE IMPRISONED
By Matt O`Connor
Chicago Tribune
•Published:
Jul 26, 1990 at 12:00 am
James G. Moffat, a former Chicago public school principal and top administrator who was found guilty of sexually abusing students in his school office, reluctantly surrendered to authorities Wednesday to begin serving a 15-year prison sentence three years after his conviction.
Moffat had been free on bond pending appeal of his conviction since shortly after his sentencing in 1987. But the Illinois Appellate Court affirmed his conviction last month and revoked his bond last week.
Moffat, 61, appeared on the verge of tears Wednesday as he sought a last- minute delay, saying he had been unable to tell his wife of his impending imprisonment because she was out-of-town and unreachable.
But Cook County Criminal Court Judge Robert Bastone said he had no choice but to take him into custody because of the Appellate Court rulings.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1990-07-26-9003020920-story.html
APRIL 23, 1987
Former principal jailed for sex abuse
CHICAGO — James G. Moffat, a former high school principal and once the second most powerful man in the city’s public school system, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges he sexually abused five students.
Cook County Circuit Judge Francis Mahon on Wednesday sentenced Moffat, 58, to 15 years for taking indecent liberties with a child and five years for official misconduct. The terms were to run concurrently.
Mahon revoked Moffat’s $20,000 bond and ordered him jailed immediately.
‘I copiously searched through my notes to see if there was anything in your favor and could find nothing,’ Mahon told Moffat. ‘I went beyond the standard of reasonable doubt and still found you guilty.’
During the trial, in which Moffatwas convicted of 16 counts of misconduct and eight counts of taking indecent liberties, several former students portrayed him as a manipulative man who used his office at Kelvyn Park High School as a sexual playroom.
The students testified Moffatt told them he could improve their grades, help them with teachers and protect them from violence if they had sex with him. The charges involved four male students and one female from 1982 to 1984.
Moffat said he would appeal. He has contended he was the victim of a vendetta by disgruntled students and teachers.
During a 40-minute plea for a new trial before sentencing, Moffat sobbed as he proclaimed his innocence.
‘I am dumbfounded,’ he said. ‘I will go to my death not understanding.’
He was suspended in April 1985 but continued to collect his $61,400 annual salary until April 9, about two weeks after he was convicted.
Moffat’s rise to power in the school system began in June 1967 when he was named one of two special assistants to Superintendent James Redmond after serving as principal of LeMoyne Elementary School.
In 1968, Moffat was appointed deputy superintendent in charge of government-funded programs. He later was promoted to deputy superintendent in charge of all operations. His duties included control of teacher transfers and supplies.
In 1980, during a financial crisis that threatened to close the schools, Moffat was demoted to principal of Kelvyn Park.
Under state law, Moffat would be eligible for parole after serving about seven years.
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/04/23/Former-principal-jailed-for-sex-abuse/4582546148800/
