BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Retiring Bethlehem Schools Superintendent Joseph Roy has been sued in federal court by a district employee who said Roy assaulted him at a football game last year. The school district is also named in the lawsuit.
Liberty High School Assistant Principal Antonio Traca said Roy punched him in the chest and cursed at him while Traca was trying to break up a fight at a football game on Oct. 14, 2022. The lawsuit states the incident happened in front of a crowd of parents, faculty, peers and students.
- A BASD assistant principal is suing Superintendent Joe Roy for allegedly punching him last fall
- Roy denies ever hitting a district employee
- The district calls the lawsuit "frivolous"
"When Plaintiff expressed surprise, shock and fear that Roy would continue his assault, stating 'Why did you hit me,' Roy responded by accusing him of “not doing your (expletive) job” and instead “just watching the game.”
Roy denied Tuesday that he has ever hit a district employee. He has been the BASD superintendent since 2010. He announced in March he plans to retire in July.
Roy Lawsuit by LVNewsdotcom on Scribd
On Nov. 6, School Board Director Michael Faccinetto said the board was aware of "the incident and was conducting an investigation," when asked about an alleged incident between the superintendent and a district employee but did not elaborate on what that was. At the time, Roy said he was the subject of an “unfounded rumor.”
The board hired retired Judge Emil Giordano of the Norris McLaughlin law firm to conduct an investigation "involving the Bethlehem Area School District” following the alleged incident. The investigation ended in February with the board reporting the matter was closed and the findings would not be made public.
In his lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Traca accused the board of turning a blind eye to Roy's behavior.
"I've been here for 13 years so I'm happy to let my reputation and character be judged by the people that know the work that I've done here over 13 years."BASD Superintendent Joe Roy
In a statement by the school board, the district called the lawsuit "frivolous" and said it is prepared to vigorously defend itself.
The lawsuit also alleges other instances where Roy made angry outbursts at district employees, including the chief human resources officer, the head of the teacher’s union and parents wanting to speak at a board meeting.
"I've been here for 13 years so I'm happy to let my reputation and character be judged by the people that know the work that I've done here over 13 years," Roy said.
Traca said he has been assaulted, has been slandered and lost his reputation. He is asking for compensatory damages for emotional distress, pain and suffering, and court costs. A call to Traca's attorneys representing him in the lawsuit was not immediately returned.
