Cardinal Head Football Coach Suspended from Job
Cardinal Schools head football coach and school aide George S. Gresko entered a plea of not guilty June 30 to two felony charges in front of Geauga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Paschke.
Cardinal Schools head football coach and school aide George S. Gresko entered a plea of not guilty June 30 to two felony charges in front of Geauga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Paschke.
Gresko was indicted June 23 by a grand jury for tampering with records and unauthorized use of a computer, and placed on suspension from his duties at the school.
Gresko, 28, allegedly changed the grades of some Cardinal students. Tampering with records, a third-degree felony, carries a possible jail term of nine to 36 months and a fine of up to $10,000. Unauthorized use of a computer, a fifth-degree felony, carries a possible jail term of six to 12 months and a fine of up to $2,500.
When asked by the judge, Gresko said he is not currently employed and he lives in Mentor.
Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz said since Gresko has no criminal record, the state asked he be released on a personal recognizance bond.
Special conditions include the defendant have no contact with Cardinal Schools property, Flaiz added.
Gresko’s attorney, Kristina Supler with the Cleveland law firm of Kohrman, Jackson and Krantz, said her client has been engaged in the community and asked he be allowed to attend the Cardinal Schools Board of Education meeting June 30.
Paschke said Gresko may attend the meeting if accompanied by legal counsel. She also required him to submit fingerprints and a DNA sample and have his photo taken at the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office.
Further hearings will be held in Paschke’s courtroom, she said.
The date of the arraignment, originally set for July 14, was moved forward by request of Gresko’s attorney, according to the court docket.
On June 9, the school board was set to hire assistant coach Chris Perrotti as head coach for the 2021-2022 school year on a supplemental athletic contract starting Aug. 1, 2021. The motion was tabled but was on the agenda for the June 30 school board meeting.
Cardinal Superintendent Bill Kermavner said June 23 he would not comment about an ongoing investigation.
