An Inclusive Litany

2/22/99

Anthony M. Rizzo Jr. was fired in 1989 from his position as principal of Edison High School in Fairfax County, Virginia, for sexually harassing seven female teachers working with him. He is now receiving a $38,000 state pension, more than three times the normal rate, because his lawyers successfully argued that he had a permanent "psychosexual disorder" that made him unable to work as a principal and thus made him eligible for disability benefits.

Oddly enough, Rizzo refused to seek treatment for his alleged disorder, and continued to deny he had ever harassed anybody even while his lawyers were arguing that this behavior stemmed from his disability. Rizzo's psychiatrist said his denial was all part of his ongoing psychological disorder. Meanwhile, the state is vigorously prosecuting Rizzo for a rape involving a preteen girl, hoping at least to direct some of the pension money towards his alleged victim.