Published Saturday, August 3, 2002
HERMITAGE
Herald Staff Writer
Former Kennedy Christian basketball coach and dean of students Joe Votino, who pleaded guilty last year to corruption of minors for having sex with three female students at the school, was denied early release from state prison in a parole hearing last month, according to the state Department of Probation and Parole.
Votino, 45, formerly of 503 Syme St. in Masury, was eligible for early release today. He has served one year of his two-year sentence, most of it at Waymart State Correctional Institution, a minimum-security prison in the northeast corner of the state.
Ms. Taylor said she could not disclose whether anyone spoke for or against his early release at the parole hearing. She did say that the parole board indicated it wanted Votino to complete a sexual-offender program.
Votino pleaded guilty in July 2001 in Mercer County Common Pleas Court to one count of corruption of minors, a first-degree misdemeanor which is not a sexual crime and carries a maximum sentence of 2è to 5 years in prison.
In late March 2001, a caller to the county's Child Line abuse hotline reported that Votino was having sex with a female student. The call, made by a Kennedy teacher who has since taken a job at a public school district in Mercer County, sparked an investigation at the school.
Kennedy fired Votino in May 2001, two months after he guided the school boys basketball program to a record-tying fourth straight state basketball title and its sixth title in his 19-year tenure.
In Pennsylvania boys basketball history, only former Farrell mentor Ed McCluskey won more championships than Votino; McCluskey, whom Votino described as a mentor, won seven state titles. Kennedy came up short in its bid for a fifth consecutive title this spring, losing in the PIAA-Class A state championship game.
Votino's other role at the Hermitage Catholic school, dean of students, put him in charge of discipline.
In June 2001, Votino was charged with corruption of minors. Police said Votino had sexual relationships with three Kennedy students over a two-year period; all of the girls were 17 when the relationships began. Votino admitted having sexual encounters with the girls in his home, at the school and at a home in Sharon.