Menlo resident faces sex charges involving former student at Palo Alto school Menlo resident faces sex charges involving former student at Palo Alto school (August 24, 2005)

Acting on a recent tip from a woman in her mid 20s, the Menlo Park police at about 4 p.m. Thursday, August 18, went to the home of Menlo Park resident and teacher William Giordano, 59, and arrested him on child molestation counts stemming from an affair he allegedly had 14 years ago with one of his middle-school students, said Sgt. Jim Simpson of the Menlo Park Police Department.

Mr. Giordano, a teacher at Jordan Middle School in Palo Alto, was charged with 28 counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a 14- or 15-year-old child over a period of 28 months, said San Mateo County Deputy District Attorney Melissa McKowan. His bail is temporarily set at $1 million.

A police investigation revealed that Mr. Giordano had had a sexual relationship with one of his students that began around 1990 and lasted several years, said Sgt. Simpson.

The charges are based on that one relationship, police said. Ms. McKowan said she has asked the judge to delay a final decision on bail until Wednesday, August 24, when the Menlo Park police may have information on whether there were other victims.

Jordan Middle School's Web site lists Mr. Giordano as the volleyball and track coach.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Sgt. Simpson at 330-6342.

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