June 1, 2022
HORNELL, NY – Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker reports that Eli Marcus, Assistant Principal grades 7 and 8, and Hornell School Superintendent Jeremy Palotti, have been indicted by a county grand jury. The D.A. says the two were named in a joint indictment based on a lengthy investigation into the conduct of Hornell School officials surrounding and associated with the searching of students for contraband.
Eli Marcus is charged with 10 counts of endangering the welfare of a child, for allegedly, during the 2020-2021/2021-2022 school years, that he acted in a manner to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child under the age of 17.
Jeremy Palotti is charged with two counts of official misconduct and failing to make a required report to the NYS Child Abuse Hotline. Palotti is alleged to have not turn in Marcus.
The district attorney says the charges stem from complaints from parents, about improper searches of students in the Hornell School system by Marcus.
