A 64-year-old former teacher, once affectionately called “Mr. Wonderful” at a prestigious all-girls school in Massachusetts, entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday to three charges of rape involving two former students.
Matthew Rutledge appeared in Berkshire Superior Court in Pittsfield following his indictment in March based on allegations from Melissa Fares, 33, and Hilary Simon, 39. The two women claim they were victims of abuse by Rutledge during their time at Miss Hall’s School, a private boarding institution, between 2000 and 2010.
Simon, recalling her experience, mentioned that she was just 15 when Rutledge began grooming her, leading to years of abuse. “I’ve personally fought this battle for 20 years,” she stated, according to reports. “I’ve been advocating publicly for two years now.”
Interestingly, Fares and Simon connected in 2024 after discovering they had similar experiences and decided to pursue criminal charges together. Reports indicate that their initial approach to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office (BDAO) in October of that year was unsuccessful, as they were informed that the age of consent in the state was 16.
While the prosecutor, Timothy Shugrue, acknowledged the seriousness of the claims, he remarked, “Although the alleged conduct is very concerning, it does not qualify as illegal,” according to a statement from BDAO released in October 2024.
However, an investigation gained momentum when prosecutors referenced a report from Aleta Law, a firm commissioned by the school’s board to assess its culture. This investigation, which included an analysis of school records and interviews with 158 individuals, suggested that the school’s leadership allowed Rutledge to sexually exploit at least five students over a two-decade span without taking adequate action.
The inquiry was prompted in part by Fares and Simon publicly sharing their allegations against Rutledge and criticizing the school for its inaction, as highlighted by various reports.
After the arraignment, Fares expressed her disbelief at the situation, stating, “Miss Hall’s school was well aware. They permitted a culture of abuse to persist for so long.”
The school has communicated its intent to cooperate with authorities. In a public statement, they said, “We regret the harm experienced by survivors and the repercussions for our community.”
While BDAO has not provided more details about the evidence in play, NBC News reported that “the investigation into Mr. Rutledge and potential misconduct by Miss Hall’s school staff is still ongoing.”
