The Boston Globe’s Brian McGrory took great interest in Boston College “drama” last week as his column, published in Friday’s Metro/Region section of the Globe, investigated allegations of a campus date rape that McGrory says is “cloaked in secrecy” here at BC.
Titled “Knotty Drama at the Heights,” the column examined rape allegations aimed at Michael Gabelli, A&S ’00 and son of Wall Street titan Mario Gabelli, after whom Gabelli Hall is named.
“McGrory tried to be fair,” said Jack Dunn, Director of Public Affairs, “fair with a difficult and painful case.” The case is so difficult, Dunn said, because of the prevalence of so many unclear and uncertain circumstances.
Charges, filed in late March and settled in private on Wednesday night, allege that Gabelli had intercourse with a female incapacitated either by alcohol or a date rape drug in September of 1997.
According to McGrory’s column, the victim, the daughter of a U.S. Army colonel, has since dropped out of BC, attempted suicide and had military ambitions thwarted by psychological complications. Her father, the colonel, is lobbying for Gabelli’s expulsion, according to McGrory.
Gabelli’s attorneys dispute these allegations. “There is absolutely no evidence to support the allegation,” Gabelli’s lawyer, Bob Popeo, told the Globe. “There is no evidence of any sexual conduct, let alone rape, and if this case proceeds, these allegations will be totally discredited.”
McGrory suggested that these circumstances inspire a number of contentious questions: “Is it too easy for a young woman to level accusations without proof? Will an academic institution take extra strides to protect a high-profile student?”
To the latter, Dunn said that BC will not. “No exception was made for him,” Dunn said. “BC Police thoroughly investigated the case and then referred it to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. We investigated this case the same way we would in any case of sexual misconduct. In the end, the alleged victim chose not to press charges through the BC judiciary system.”
