Former principal of Catholic school in Ohio gets probation in foot-kissing case

A former Ohio Catholic school principal convicted of kissing the feet of three male students to settle a bet on a volleyball game was sentenced to two years' probation.

Photo: Former principal of Catholic school in Ohio gets probation in foot-kissing case

Former principal of Catholic school in Ohio gets probation in foot-kissing case

Robert Holloway, 50, resigned from St. Anthony of Padua School in this city west of Cleveland after the 14-year-old students and their parents reported the foot-kissing to police in February 2006.

Police later seized two school computers from Holloway's office and 400 images of adult foot-fetish behavior. Some of the photos depicted scenarios he had engaged in with the boys, police said.

Holloway entered a no-contest plea in April and was convicted of three misdemeanor counts of sexual imposition and one count of unauthorized use of public property. He could have received up to 15 months in jail.

Judge Mark Mihok ordered Holloway on Tuesday to register as a sex offender, pay a $1,000 (euro740) fine and stay away from activities with children under 18.

A message seeking comment was left Tuesday night with Holloway's lawyer.

Holloway told authorities he paid each student $15 (euro11) and kissed their bare feet 50 times each in the school's library and gym to pay off the bet on a student-teacher volleyball game.

Holloway, who is unemployed, apologized Tuesday for embarrassing the students.

"It's going to be a long road to get back to a normal life for myself," he said.