KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 — An American theatre teacher accused of sexual abuse in the United States from decades ago has rejected the allegations against him, insisting that no criminal complaint were ever filed against him.
In a statement from his lawyer, Rey Buono, who was named in a Boston Global report as having abused at least a dozen underage boys, said that the allegations only surfaced following a third-party investigation.
“My client notes that the investigation and purported findings was by a private entity and notes that to date no criminal complaint has been filed against him,” said a statement by lawyer Datuk N Sivananthan here.
“My client also notes that the alleged incidents apparently occurred more than 30 years ago and there were no criminal complaints filed then and to the best of his knowledge, there has not been any filed to date.”
Buono acknowledged that he taught at the Milton Academy before leaving in 1987, and has since lectured at various institutions in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia for almost 30 years with no sexual misconduct complaints lodged against him.
Some of these contacted by Malay Mail Online issued statements to the effect when contacted over the alleged abuses from Buono’s past.
“My client notes that the various institutions that he has worked with in the last 30 years have been extremely gracious in their comments about him and has also affirmed that during his employment tenure he has discharged his duties conscientiously and to the very best of his ability and he has an unblemished record,” said the statement.
Sivananthan also said that his client is engaging lawyers in Boston, Massachusetts to look into the allegations.
“My client is now in his 70’s and retired after a long and illustrious career in the performing arts and takes the view that he should not be vilified without any proper investigation and more importantly the fact remains that there has been no criminal complaint made against him during his tenure at Milton Academy and none in the last 30 years,” he added.
Buono was reportedly sacked in 1987 by Milton Academy, for having admitted to molesting a student, but no further action was taken and he instead continued his career in Asia, including directing theatre plays at Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre.
He also taught in Universiti Putra Malaysia between 1997 and 2002, Sunway University College (2003 to 2006), and Taylor’s University (2011 to 2012).
University officials told Malay Mail Online in a report this morning that no students have complained about his conduct.
Several local theatre practitioners were reported by The Star as being shocked by the allegations, with some saying that he was hardworking, professional, and a kind person.
