Naperville North counselor denies sex charges

The Naperville North High School counselor charged with sexually abusing a student denies the allegations and will “fight them all the way,” his attorney said Thursday.

“Quite frankly, he was stunned when he found out he was being charged,” said Nick Lagattuta, who represents accused counselor John Carbonaro. “He did not have a relationship with this young lady at all, other than being her guidance counselor.” Lagattuta said the parents of Carbonaro’s accuser asked the school if he could serve as her guidance counselor after a positive experience with him coaching her softball team. He said the teen eventually developed a crush on Carbonaro, who is “happily married” with two children.

“We expect this matter to go to trial,” Lagattuta said. “We intend to fight this all the way. We do believe that, based on the evidence, he will be found not guilty.”

Carbonaro, 33, surrendered Wednesday and posted a $20,000 bond after being charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, which allege he had sexual contact with a 16-year-old student at his Warrenville home. The felony charges carry a maximum prison term of seven years, but are also punishable by probation, prosecutors said.

Naperville North officials said they learned of the allegations about a week ago from a third party. Carbonaro was subsequently put on paid administrative leave at the school, where he has worked for five years, and suspended without pay from his job as a part-time range officer at Sportsman’s Park for the Naperville Park District.

In addition to being a school counselor, he coached girls softball and golf at Naperville North, and previously coached at a summer camp program run through the park district.

“His record is exemplary,” Lagattuta said. “He’s never had one accusation, one allegation.”

Carbonaro is scheduled to appear in court before DuPage County Judge Blanche Fawell on March 23, when he could enter a formal plea of not guilty, according to his attorney.

As a condition of bond, Carbonaro is barred from having contact with minors other than his own children, prosecutors said.