In the spring of 2024, the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office and Pittsfield Police were alerted to allegations of criminal activity involving Matthew Rutledge and former students of Miss Hall’s School. In response, the Pittsfield Police Department opened an investigation.
The investigation concluded that, under Massachusetts’s General Law, no criminal conduct occurred. District Attorney Shugrue stated, “Massachusetts law defines the age of consent as 16. While the alleged behavior is profoundly troubling, it is not illegal.”
The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office will not release further details regarding the investigation to protect the privacy of the women who came forth to disclose the allegations.
Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said, “Investigations into allegations of child abuse are inherently complex and require scrutiny. Fully investigating these alleged crimes take a great deal of time. Our Office, as well as our partner law enforcement agencies, will not rush investigation for the sake of coming to expeditious conclusion. As a former assistant district attorney, I was dedicated to prosecuting cases of child abuse, which often included child sexual assault. I understand the unique challenges these cases present, which is why I established the Berkshire Children’s Advocacy Center, The Kids’ Place. This independent entity is specifically designed to coordinate investigations of alleged child sexual abuse with the care and expertise they demand.”
District Attorney Shugrue expressed his support for proposed Bill Number 1036: “An Act Relative to Sexual Assault by Adults in Positions of Authority or Trust.”
Additionally, separate allegations were made against two former employees of Miss Hall’s School. These claims were deemed unfounded.