Former Shattuck-St. Mary's teacher previously accused of misconduct

Already facing more than a dozen charges of criminal sexual conduct with minors, a former teacher at Shattuck-St. Mary's college preparatory school in Faribault had also been previously accused of misconduct at the school.

A statement from the school Monday disclosed that allegations were made about the former drama teacher Lynn Seibel in 2001. The school said that an internal investigation ''did not corroborate those allegations." The school reported the allegations to the Rice County Department of Social Services and the Faribault Police Department, although no immediate action was taken.

Seibel's employment was terminated after the school discovered pornography on his computer in 2003. A Bureau of Criminal Apprehension review found that a significant portion of the images were "without question illegal child pornography," according to the complaint. But Shattuck-St. Mary's said the school consulted with its lawyers in 2003 who "confirmed that the material did not trigger a reporting requirement."

In an interview with Los Angeles Police Department investigators in August, Seibel said he left the school because of discussions about the pornography. Seibel told investigators that a former headmaster at Shattuck-St. Mary's told him to "get help."

Seventeen charges were filed against Seibel on Monday by the Rice County Attorney. They involve six underage victims who were students at the school between 1999 and 2003.

Former students interviewed by Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Faribault Police Department investigators alleged that Seibel held gatherings where students performed sexually in his presence.

Faribault police started investigating Seibel in June of this year after a defendant in another criminal sexual conduct case alleged that he was assaulted by Seibel while a student at Shattuck-St. Mary's in 2001. An interview with that victim led investigators to other former students who alleged that they were also victimized.

Seibel, 70, worked at Shattuck-St. Mary's School from 1992 to 2003, according to his resume. He was also a "dorm parent" in a school dormitory. Since his employment at Shattuck-St. Mary's was terminated in 2003, Seibel has worked on theater productions and acted in television shows and movies.

Seibel has been in jail in Los Angeles County since August on unrelated possession of child pornography charges.