Mt. Lebanon school board member accused in Florida sex case resigns seat

A Mt. Lebanon school board member arrested in Florida earlier this month in connection with sex crimes against a teen has resigned, according to the school district.

Andrew Freeman, 34, was charged over the July 4 holiday while on vacation in Florida with friends and family. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Freeman tried to kiss a 17-year-old girl and put his hands under her clothing.

The girl and her mother were among those with whom Freeman was vacationing, authorities said. Freeman is charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

The school board announced July 9 that Freeman submitted his resignation. The district began soliciting applicants to fill the vacant seat Tuesday.

“The conduct described in the (Polk County) release is reprehensible and totally inconsistent with the community’s expectations of a school board member,” he said in a statement.

According to the complaint filed in the case, the incident happened July 4 at the home where Freeman and the girl were both staying on vacation. The girl told police they were watching a movie in the home’s media room when Freeman put his hand under her shorts. She told police she changed her shorts and returned, at which point Freeman did the same thing again.

Police were notified after t he victim’s family member walked into the room and saw Freeman nearly nose-to-nose with the girl, according to the complaint.

Freeman initially denied wrongdoing, authorities said, but eventually conceded and said “mistakes were made.” He also said that the encounter was “her idea and she approached him,” investigators wrote. He also told them “this is not good,” authorities said, noting his position as a school board member.

Freeman was released on $15,000 bond. Conditions of his release include a prohibition on travel and contact with the victim or any children under the age of 18. His attorney on Monday asked the court to modify those conditions so that Freeman can return to Mt. Lebanon and have contact with his children, aged 12 and 3.

A hearing is scheduled for Aug. 3.

Freeman could not immediately be reached for comment.