The Smoke Signal

By Web Editors Andrew Choi & Carolyn Ge

MSJ Swim Coach and Washington High School Physical Education Teacher Cory Audiat was arrested on Thursday, November 24 on charges of alleged sexual misconduct involving an underage male student.

Audiat, 32, who has taught at Washington High School since 2012, was placed on unpaid administrative leave and will not return to the school, FUSD Superintendent James Morris told NBC Bay Area News. She has also taught at American High School in the past and had been a district employee since 2008.

Principal Zack Larsen said in an email to parents Thursday morning that based on the information he had, the incident “does not involve any student at Mission San Jose High School.”

According to a statement released by the Fremont Police Department, Audiat and the student had been “communicating” earlier this year, and “over the course of several months, the conversations became more inappropriate and they eventually engaged in unlawful sexual intercourse.” Records show she was charged with seven counts including having unlawful intercourse and communications with a minor as far back as May 2016.

She is currently being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, CA.

FUSD has been “working closely” with the Fremont Police Department over the past few days to assist with the investigation while causing as little disruption for students as possible, FUSD Spokesman Brian Killgore said in an official statement.

“This is an unfortunate situation that we are sure has generated anxiety and many questions within our community,” Killgore said. “Our students’ safety remains above all our highest priority and any threat to that safety is taken very seriously.”

The Fremont Police Department said in a statement, “Due to the age of the victim and the nature of the investigation, no information regarding the victim’s identity will be released. The victim is a minor and we ask the public (friends, school faculty and community members) as well as the press and media, that his identity remain confidential.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Fremont Police Department’s Investigative Unit at 510-790-6900.

School Resource Officer Kelly Robinson and counselors are also available if students would like to talk to them.

Photo by ktvu.com