Second employee at Berkshire Family YMCA placed on leave

Another employee at the Berkshire Family YMCA has been placed on paid administrative leave due to an investigation by the state Department of Children and Families, according to our media partners at The Berkshire Eagle.

Executive Director and CEO Christian Bianchi did not name the employee and told the paper that he did not know the reason for the second investigation.

Bianchi did say he believes it is unrelated to the investigation involving the first staffer – Taverick “Tank” Roberson, which involved complaints about his alleged conduct when he worked at the high school.

The community has been rocked by a series of scandals.

Lavante Wiggins, dean of students at the high school, was arrested earlier this month on a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Two other administrators have been placed on leave – Molly West, another deans of students, and Vice Principal Alison Shepard – in a separate matter from the Wiggins case. Shepard and West were placed on leave in connection with an investigation by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.

A student is also suing former English teacher Robert Barsanti for sexual harassment. Among allegations in the lawsuit, is that Barsanti asked her if she wanted to go into a janitor’s closet with him.

The committee voted to hire Springfield-based law firm Bulkley Richardson at Monday’s meeting.