A former Columbia County teacher accused of criminal sexual contact with students can no longer serve as a Santa while the case is pending, a judge ruled Monday, Dec. 12.
Gregory Brooks, 65, has pleaded not guilty in Columbia County Superior Court to two counts of sexual contact by a person in a position of trust in the second degree. He has been free on a $10,000 bond since his arrest in the fall of 2021.
Assistant District Attorney Natalie Paine said Monday that a provision to prohibit contact with any child by someone accused of a child sexual abuse crime is normal, but for some reason it wasn’t included in Brooks’ bond order. After learning of an uproar by some mothers on social media, Assistant District Attorney Ashley Mueller confirmed Brooks has been working as a Santa, and she filed a motion to amend his bond, Paine said.
MORE: Party at Burke County Manager’s house leads to two arrests
MORE: Hospital retirees to fight benefits cut
Defense attorney Traves Chance said Monday that Brooks has worked as a Santa in the area for 45 years and currently has contracts to work as Santa. Chance emphasized Brooks is never left alone with any child.
Chief Judge James G. Blanchard Jr. said he has known Brooks for 20 years and his children and grandchildren have sat on his Santa suited lap. But Brooks must be treated the same as any other person facing child sexual abuse allegations, the judge said. Blanchard signed the order prohibiting Brooks from having any contact with any child under the age of 16.
Two students at Evans High School came forward last year to tell school officials that Brooks, a health teacher, had touched their backside. One incident allegedly occurred Sept. 24, 2021, and the second on Oct. 26, 2021. Brooks was fired from the school.
Chance said Monday Brooks absolutely denies there was any sexual contact. Brooks is also a retired emergency medical technician who retired from SRS, Chance said.
