A local sportscaster allegedly inappropriately touched students, made sexual comments about their bodies and sent emails, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC.
Thompson, who was a sports anchor for the now-shuttered NBC40, was working as a media and television production teacher at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology in Mays Landing when the alleged incidents occurred during the last school year.
Attorney Darrin Lord, who will represent Thompson at a detention hearing Monday, maintains his client’s innocence, he told BreakingAC.
Five girls have come forward about the alleged incidents, including one who was 14 years old.
They allege he would rub their legs, say inappropriate things and even took at least one picture of a girl bent over her desk without her knowledge.
That photo of 17-year-old Kay* was one of several found on Thompson’s cell phone when investigators searched it, the affidavit states.
She said in December, he kissed her on her forehead and said it was because they’re friends.
An investigation was sparked when one of the girls came forward in February. That same month, four other girls told of similar interactions with Thompson. The incidents began in September, they said.
“What do I always tell you guys? Don’t get me f—ing fired,” he allegedly told 17-year-old Annie* on Feb. 14. “I’m about to hit my tenure mark.”
Thompson’s LinkedIn says he started working at the school in 2018.
“I would pay to watch you guys have sex,” he allegedly told Kay and Annie.
Annie said he told her she would “be a millionaire” if she were a porn star, and would repeatedly ask Kay when she was turning 18.
He would text Annie, although she said did not know how he got her number.
“Your (butt) looks fantastic,” she said he told her. “Your boyfriend is a lucky man. I bet you guys have a lot of sex.”
Thompson also would massage her thighs while in the classroom, lasting about 45 seconds at a time.
Amy*, 17, also claimed Thompson would grab “pressure points” on her leg while in class.
Witnesses backed up both these claims, the affidavit states.
Amy also said Thompson would “play thumb wars” with her and “just hold (her) hand.”
“I f—ing love you,” 17-year-old Kate* said Thompson told her. “A girl with a body like yours should really protect herself.”
She said he also rubbed her leg and thigh while she was in his classroom.
Emma*, 14, said Thompson emailed her for a private meeting in his classroom, which was confirmed by ACIT records.
At that meeting, he commented on Emma’s breasts and said he wanted to touch them.
Amy said he commented about another girl’s chest to her.
“Can someone tell her to cover up? They’re kind of staring at me,” he allegedly said. “What am I supposed to do? Not look?”
Thompson no longer works at the school, although his picture does still come up in a photo slide show under the Media Club.
It was not clear when he was fired.
Thompson also was working for 97.3 ESPN, but that is no longer the case, Townsquare Media President Michael Ruble told BreakingAC.
“We are clearly disheartened by the recent news and Mr. Thompson is no longer employed by Townsquare Media,” he said in an email. “We will not be commenting further on an ongoing criminal proceeding.”
Thompson will be held in the jail until a detention hearing to determine whether he will be held or released pending the outcome of his case.
* BreakingAC is using fictitious names to help separate the victims without giving away anything to identify them.
