Appeal trial for former Providence school administrator ends in hung jury

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — An appeal trial for a former Providence school administrator who allegedly gave an unwanted foot massage to a boy at a gym in 2021 ended in a hung jury.

Olayinka Alege was found guilty of simple assault and battery in Providence District Court last year. He appealed the district court’s decision to the Superior Court.

John MacDonald, Alege’s attorney, said a retrial was set for June 28.

The alleged assault at Edge Fitness in Warwick happened in April 2021. Video presented in district court showed Alege forcing a foot massage on the 15-year-old.

The victim said Alege came uncomfortably close to ask about his sneakers before laying down and ripping off his shoe, forcing him to receive a foot massage.

The 15-year-old said in court he never expected this to happen at the gym and spoke up in the hopes it never happens to anyone else.

Alege denied ever touching the 15-year-old and told police he didn’t recall the details. At the time of the incident, he was an administrator for Providence Public Schools and resigned shortly after the incident.