URGENT UPDATE: Noted anti-bullying advocate Dr. Claudio V. Cerullo, founder of the Teach Anti-Bullying nonprofit, has been charged with retail theft at a Boscov’s store in Middletown, Pennsylvania, following an incident reported on October 24, 2023. This shocking development has raised eyebrows given Cerullo’s prominence in the fight against bullying, as he was recently nominated to the National School Violence and Mental Health Task Force.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, officers responded to a retail theft call at approximately 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday. Store personnel reported that a white male, described as wearing blue pants, a white hat, and a Dallas Cowboys jacket, allegedly walked out with multiple items without paying. The suspect fled the scene in a blue Jeep, prompting law enforcement to track down the vehicle.
Police located Cerullo at his registered address, where he was identified based on surveillance footage matching the suspect’s description. Authorities filed a summary charge for retail theft in the Middletown Magisterial District Court after confirming his identity.
Cerullo initially denied any involvement when contacted, but his wife, Daniela Cerullo, interjected, claiming it was a case of mistaken identity still under investigation. His attorney, Alex Giribaldi, stated he has yet to receive all case details but believes the evidence will ultimately exonerate Cerullo. “We expect that once the facts come out, it will show that Mr. Cerullo was wrongfully accused,” Giribaldi said.
The attorney also hinted at potential biases in the case, suggesting that Cerullo’s ethnicity may have played a role in the incident. However, authorities classified him as a white non-Hispanic male in their reports.
The case is set to be heard by District Judge Walter A. Strohl, but no specific court date has been announced yet. As the investigation unfolds, the implications for Cerullo’s career and reputation in the anti-bullying movement remain uncertain.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as it continues to impact the community and the anti-bullying advocacy landscape. Readers are urged to share this critical news to bring attention to the complexities surrounding the case.
