Sex Abuse Charge Against Teacher Dropped, Lack of Evidence Cited

Prosecutors have decided there is insufficient evidence to charge a Pasadena school teacher with inappropriately touching a 15-year-old girl in his classroom.

Truu “Richard” Hang, 33, of San Gabriel, a high school teacher at Marshall Fundamental School, was arrested on suspicion of sexual battery last Friday and suspended from his job without pay.

The girl alleged that Hang had touched her inappropriately below the waist during a Sept. 19 math lesson.

Constance Orozco, acting chief prosecutor for the city of Pasadena, said a police investigation showed inconsistencies in the allegation.

“There were some conflicting statements by the victim and some of her classmates. It was not enough to show any kind of touching by the teacher,” Orozco said.

Hang’s attorney, Monti Reynolds, said, “Sexual allegations are devastating . . . and [Hang] wants people to know there is nothing to this allegation.”

Reynolds said he was concerned that his client was arrested before any real investigation had been conducted.

Eric Nasarenko, a school district spokesman, said Hang “will be given opportunity to return to Marshall, and all his back pay will be reinstated.”

Officials with the district’s teachers union have asked to discuss with the superintendent how investigations of this nature will be handled.