$40,000 bond for former teacher charged in sexual exploitation case

A Cook County judge set bail at $40,000 for a 75-year-old Hanover Park teacher who prosecutors say exposed himself Friday to the 16- and 17-year-old students in his algebra class at Schaumburg Christian School.

Family members of Paul LaDuke were attempting to raise the $4,000 necessary to secure his release from custody, said defense attorney Irv Seidler.

Schaumburg police on Tuesday charged LaDuke with sexual exploitation of a child, a class 4 felony, punishable by one to three years in prison. Probation is also available.

Two students reported what police described as “inappropriate lewd conduct while seated at his podium” to a teacher on Friday. School officials investigated and the same day fired LaDuke, who had taught at the school for 26 years. On Monday, the officials contacted Schaumburg police, who took LaDuke into custody that day.

The students claimed that LaDuke wore an apron over his clothing and inappropriately touched himself while sitting behind a podium as students did their assignment, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney David Weiner. Weiner said that LaDuke, in his statement to police, admitted he had been engaging in this behavior in his classroom for 10 years,

Seidler rejected prosecutors' claims about his client, who Seidler says has an “unblemished record.”

If LaDuke has indeed engaged in this behavior for a decade, “how come someone hasn't come forward? How come there's nothing reported by the school or other students? It doesn't make sense,” said Seidler, who described his client as “old and somewhat disoriented.”

Seidler also suggested LaDuke may have unconsciously “adopted” details provided by the police during questioning.

Schaumburg Christian School Administrator Jim Toth said the situation shocked teachers, staff and administrators.

“We are saddened over what has happened. As we received information, we reacted as quickly as possible,” said Toth. “We are fully cooperating with the Schaumburg Police Department in the ongoing investigation. Currently, we are offering counseling to our students, parents and/or staff that are requesting that.”

LaDuke next appears in court on Dec. 7. The judge ordered that he have no contact with the victims, their families, or anyone under age 18,

ŸDaily Herald staff Writer eric Peterson contributed to this story.