Hey, how you doing, man? Um, I'm just I'm just I'm It's not an emergency, but it's I'm kind of in a situation. They go to school right here at Team Success, and she was she went to the bathroom, but this not happen this happened once already where a teacher, you know, tried to touch the students. And right now, you know, the original mama is back there talking in the back room with them. >> And when you said the teacher touched the student, in what way? Was it like a lewd and lascivious or like pushing? >> Yes, like in a sexual way. >> or about it or something like that. So, she gets a call from the bathroom. The little girl named She's in the bathroom cuz her mama says the teacher touched her leg and it was touching another student. So, my first thought is I know she wants to come out here and talk to these people. Or me as the stepdad, you know, hey, I'mma call. Cuz it says I Googled this. It make a report first quarter. Doesn't matter who it is where you are. And also, they didn't let me go here with what they were telling her. So, I just want to make sure you guys are here and make sure you know if it's okay. All right, guys. You know what I'm saying? >> So, since you missed the first little bit, would you be able to repeat everything that you said? And then he's also going to need some info from you. >> Yeah. >> Um, if you could just start the what you were saying from the >> the beginning. >> Something I've been just They told her mama something within the month or so, not too long not too long ago, by the teacher. Says or touching the students. So, my girl mentioned it to the principal here. >> Mhm. >> So, okay. That was it. That that little short thing. Now, she calls like maybe like an hour and a half ago an hour ago an hour and an hour and a half or something like that from the bathroom. And tells her mama, "Hey, the he touched me." Or I don't know if who it really a teacher touched me on my legs. And not only me, the little girl she knows what happened. That's you know what's right and wrong. You know what I'm saying? She's not so When you pulled down here, they took her back there. They talked to her. I mean, I'm pretty sure this is supposed to be an officer here in this town, I think. >> That I'm not sure. >> That's what That's what I called you guys to make sure because I don't want to the the school to try to manipulate to let it go or something because that's that's a serious issue. You know what I'm saying? >> Right. >> And he you know you you you see him you talk to him back there, but that's pretty much it. I just want to report it. >> Yeah. >> I just want to make sure she's safe, everything's okay. She shouldn't me I'm I'm different my child. I would have told her go stay in the bathroom or go to the office, stay there till I get there. I would call get on the police on the line. So, they probably don't like the fact that >> Do you know if it's a female teacher, male teacher? >> Uh I would have I'm I pretty sure it's a I think, but I mean, I am you know that it does happen and it happened for my family. That's why I take it very serious. >> And then what's your good address? >> All right. >> Or how old is she? >> She She's She's not. She's pretty smart. She knows what We talked to her. If somebody does tell you something you don't want to do or you know, that's it's She knows. I'm pretty sure I mean, I heard my wife telling her on the phone "You sure you're not Somebody tell you to say this? You sure this and that?" She's the little girl saying, "No." I said, "Well, you need We need to go." >> Mhm. >> I mean, that's hell, that's my kid. But you guys trying to fill me in. Let me know what's going on. >> Yeah. >> I don't know where we just I don't even know where they are in here. They're back here. They got her in the back room. The little girl and the mama back there. >> Okay. >> So, they wouldn't let me go back there. I don't know >> I just think if I'm a stepdad, I think it's okay if you're the mom says, "Yeah, he should be able to be here." I think it's okay. I don't think it's okay for you to tell me if you're not the biological father, you can't be up here. >> Cuz she's black and I'm Mexican. >> Should be up to the mom. >> know. It's not cool. >> Right. >> You you see, my my kids black. But I love my kids. They're my kids. >> We'll walk over see what we can figure out and we'll try to update her or update you, whichever one we do. >> Okay. Everything everything in the patrol, you know, I'm sorry to call you, but I just I just want to be safe. I don't think it's sorry. >> It's It's my child we talking. >> Ain't going through this door? >> Yes, sir. You can push the little button and then you can open it. >> Okay. >> Um he called you guys, really? >> Yeah. >> Because I got a call from my daughter that a teacher here touched her inappropriately. >> Mhm. >> I'm in the back now. Um they're just writing down everything that she's saying, but I I just wanted to make a report of it because I don't want I don't want it to be handled lightly because she's very nervous about it. She It made her feel very uncomfortable. She said he [clears throat] touched her on the thigh and right here and that made her uncomfortable, so she went to the bathroom and called me. >> Okay. >> And I just wanted the cops to come so that I could get a report done here with you guys as well. >> Yeah. Do you have an idea on you? >> Um I got it out of my vehicle. >> So, when I was doing my work on ABCYA, he saw my writing when I was when I returned my homework to him and stuff. And stuff. He saw my writing. He touched me on my shoulder and my thigh and then he said I'm actually a writer. And then >> Okay. >> And then I said then I went the bathroom and I called my mom with two five frames. >> How did that make you feel when he touched you? >> Uncomfortable. >> Uncomfortable. >> Would you be able to demonstrate on of mom how he was standing by you, where you touched him? >> Okay. >> He said like my accent in writing and I said thank you. >> Okay. And that was today? Has this happened in the past? >> No. >> No, just today. Okay. And he teaches, I'm guessing, English language arts, okay. >> Yeah, he's the first teacher she has two. So, he's the first, I guess, the first half of the day and the morning >> Home room teacher. Home room teacher ELA and social studies. >> Okay. >> Like I can call the school, which I did last Monday and talked to the principal about the kids thought it was inappropriate how he sat in class and they assured me that it wasn't, you know, inappropriately, but I told the kids are only 9 or 10 years old, they feel uncomfortable by the way he sits and I guess speak with them. And I talked to them after that, nothing after that. come home telling me that he's touching certain students here and on the butt tops and I just told her that they reported, she said, well, they didn't have time, but I guess they she said it was going to report it today. >> Do other students feel the same way you do about it? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Almost all the girls. >> Okay. So, you only see this see him doing this to girls, not guys. Okay. >> During the the investigation, 72-year-old Richard Silverman was called in by detectives for questioning regarding the allegations. >> This morning, we had the reason why we got called here is a student called her mom um saying that during a English class, during writing, you uh touched her on the thigh and said she was a good writer. On the upper thigh. >> I don't remember who that was. >> Okay. >> I give a couple people those compliments. >> Okay. Have you ever touched a student on the thigh like that before? >> Oh, heck no. >> No. Have you touched any student at all that maybe would be uncomfortable for them? >> It would be could be could be misconstrued as that kind of touching, you know. I mean a kid comes up and wants to hug kind of like that. >> Okay. >> She had her hand on the shoulder with with with some of the guys. >> Okay. >> I can't think of anything even remotely close to close to that. >> Okay. So, when they were writing when the students were writing today, the way she explained it to me is you came up and you touched her on the shoulder with one of your hands and then the other hand went on her upper thigh and you said that she was an excellent writer. So, you're saying you didn't put your hand on her thigh at all. >> No, I could have probably [clears throat] tapped her on the shoulder to affirm her. >> Okay. >> And I can't and I'm just trying to think who I even thought was a good writer today. >> Okay. >> About 7 weeks. >> 7 weeks. Do you ever see any of your students kind of be uncomfortable in your class when they talk to you? Do they kind of just look a little like awkward or uncomfortable? Is that ever a look you get while you're in class? >> Oh, no. I get a lot of looks like they're not happy to to be there cuz they're burnt out from testing and from >> [snorts] >> Makes sense. >> from whatever. >> Okay. What is your teaching environment like? How do you How do you teach on like a day-to-day basis? >> Uh you mean the actual mechanics or just the general classroom uh management? >> Yeah. >> Uh to use an old acronym, I think I'm firm, fair, and consistent. >> Okay. >> I uh care about enough of the kids enough about the kids to discipline them. We have a set agenda during the day and we work on transitions. I got I walked in a kind of a a tenuous uh difficult environment cuz the lady before me it didn't have the same parameters as I did. >> Okay. >> So, the kids thought they could run wild. So, I do what I can do to uh keep a firm hand up on them and uh run the classroom successfully and I think I'm an equal opportunity uh abuser when it comes to being being strict, being stern. >> Okay. >> But, I think I you know, to me if if you chew it chew a kid a new rear end, you should be able to turn to somebody and smile about it. >> Mhm. >> Without letting let your heart be corrupted. I think I'm fairly successful at that. >> Okay. In your class, is there any students that kind of cause any problems like on a day-to-day basis? >> Grandpa? >> Mhm. >> Grandfather? That's two of the two of the girls came up, uh, you know, please don't call us honey and sweetie. >> Okay. >> And I and I just it's just something that I that I I I took to heart. >> Right. >> And I kind of had a little I had it out with the class. I said, you know, I'm I'm I'm here to learn, too. You know, I apologized to them and I said if, uh, you know, I'm going to watch I'm going to I'm here to mature and learn and grow, too. >> Okay. >> As long as I'm still alive, I'm I'm here to learn and grow. I said I So that battle stopped. >> Mhm. >> But I'm used to my grandkids and so but >> [snorts] >> Okay. >> If this makes you feel uncomfortable, then that it needs to be addressed. So, so be it. >> What started as a single complaint didn't stay that way for long. Soon multiple students came forward, each sharing accounts that pointed to something far more serious. >> Why was she crying? >> Um, because uh, he he screamed at her face. >> He screamed at her? >> And face really mad and I said if she was okay and he got mad. >> Uh, where did he touch you? Show me the spot. >> On like this, look. He said something so big enough and he went like this >> Okay. On your left that leg? >> Yeah. >> Okay. From there to there? >> Yeah. >> Can you tell us what was happening at the time where this joke was happening? >> All right. He just he said that you can go and do your work with your friends and I was going and then he said, um, that I look good in those jeans. >> But like how? Like what happened that he would say something like that? >> I don't know, but he just said it randomly. >> It's okay. do you see him acting or making other students uncomfortable in the class? Do you know the difference between a good touch and a bad touch? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, if your if your mom was to hug you right now, would that be a good touch or bad touch? >> A good touch. >> Okay. And if your teacher was to give you a hug, would that be a good good touch or bad touch? >> A good It can be a good touch because he's doing it like with love, but if it's like weird, I don't know. >> Okay. And you said just to make sure I'm hearing you right, he touched your neck? >> No, my leg. >> Leg. Okay. Sorry, I wanted to make sure I >> Can you show us how he did it? Or can you show it on your mom? >> This is the pencil and then he went like this. >> Like when he was when he was like standing back up? Okay. Do the You can do the whole thing, honey. Show us. >> Like this and then I went like that and then I went like this. >> When he was already standing he touched you or like as he was coming like back up? >> When he was standing. >> Okay. Okay. Like was it to grab you so that he didn't fall over or was it to just like a a small brush? >> Just like a small brush. >> Okay. Anything else happen? >> Um no. >> Has anything else happened on like different days like >> No. Only this. >> Only today. >> Okay. And did you go to the bathroom, too? >> Yeah, no worries. >> You went to the bathroom with her? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Did you hear her call her mom? >> Yes, she did. >> Okay. Did you want to Did you talk to her mom, too, or just Okay. You were just in the bathroom? >> The investigation gained momentum after six students came forward to provide detailed statements regarding the alleged incidents. These eyewitness accounts form the core of the state's case, leading directly to the multiple felony charges filed against Silverman. >> had made a statement that you had touched her leg and rubbed her her leg back and forth. >> No, I didn't hear that. I just heard that I had touched her touched her thigh. That's what was told That's that's that's That's what was said to me. >> Okay. So, was there ever a time that you were next to >> There's always somebody in the room. No. >> What do you mean there's always somebody in the room? >> I mean I'm never alone with anybody. >> Right. Right. >> in the room. Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay, but I mean >> She's always been never with never more than closer than 3 ft to me. >> Okay. Was there a time that you had to I'm trying to think of any situation you would have been next to her. Were you helping her with a homework assignment or with a project or anything that would have put you in close proximity to her to where you could have came into contact with her. >> No. >> Is there ever a time where you called her up to your desk and needed to talk to her one-on-one about something? >> It's possible, but I don't recall. >> Okay. Could there have been a time where you called her up to your desk that you touched her? >> No. >> Inadvertently. >> No. >> Okay. What about any other student? >> I can't I you put a hand on the shoulder of a maybe the guy a couple guys, but no. And none of this stuff came to came to light until until this accusation came. >> Okay. >> Um Yeah, I I I don't know what's going on, but I didn't touch anybody in the prior period. >> Okay. >> Um I don't know how much investigation you've been doing, but there's an aide in my room. >> Mhm. >> Uh Mrs. A >> Okay. >> associate she was in I don't know if you know her or not. >> Mhm. >> She was an She was an administrator a couple of years ago a curriculum director. >> Mhm. >> She's with me 3 days a week. Administration asked her, "Wow, it's kind of noisy in there. What's going on? Is it the teacher or the kids?" 100% the kids. He's an awesome teacher. A master teacher was her exact words. Mhm. So, I guess the implication would be I'm a master teacher 3 days a week and a pervert on Monday and Friday. I don't know. >> Okay. >> So, I know that the um >> Why would you call yourself a pervert? >> What's that? >> Why would you call yourself >> if I was doing something like that I'd be a pervert. If I was rubbing people's thighs. >> And were you? >> No. >> Okay. Then why would you call yourself that? >> Isn't that the That's the accusation, right? >> Yeah, but why would you call yourself that if it didn't happen? Why would you give yourself that label? >> I'm not giving myself that label. The The accusation is that >> Okay. So, you're not calling yourself that. >> No, I'm not. >> Oh, okay. I thought you called yourself that. >> No, no, I'm not. >> Oh, okay. Did you ever scream in one of their faces? >> I could have raised my voice. I don't recall screaming in anybody's face. >> Okay. Um what kind of things besides sleeping a distraction to one another, what other types of behavior problems did you have with them? Was there ever another time you were in the classroom you may have touched another student inadvertently, accident, or you were doing it as in hey, good job. Um that could have >> inadvertently on the shoulder or something? That's possible. >> Okay. Can you think of a time that you did do that? >> No. >> Not one time. >> I cannot think of one, no. >> What about the legs? >> Absolutely not. >> Okay. Good. I'm trying to explain why five, six, maybe seven girls would come forward and say that these things happened. And I'm trying to figure out why you. Why out of all of the people in this school, why would it just be you though? >> The only teacher The only male teacher they have. I'm the only male teacher that was there after they were after they were had their own way for for 6 months. >> Okay. >> And no one said a word about it. If I touch somebody on their vagina, if I stroke somebody's breast, they would tell somebody. These girls are not shy. All of a sudden No, all of a sudden uh you know, somebody accused me of touching her thigh. Oh, yeah, he touched my vagina. He stroked my breast. Come on. 3 weeks ago, a month ago. I just forgot to tell Mom. I was too embarrassed to tell Mom and Dad. No. >> You don't think that happens? >> No, I think what happened >> That people are afraid to talk about that stuff? >> No. I mean, it can be. I don't know. You're You're You're the expert in uh >> Okay. >> in child uh welfare. I'm just saying my experience as a teacher for 15, 20 years. >> Okay. >> And I mean, I've never >> So, you're just adamantly it it never happened. You didn't touch on her vagina. You didn't touch the on her breast. >> No. >> None of that happened. >> No, not even close. >> Okay. We don't have the polygraph cuz those have been disproven as just inaccurate. But we have something that's called a CVSA. It goes by your voice. And it's just simple questions we ask you. We could run through it. And if you pass it, you know, you pass it. Is that something that you'd be interested in taking? >> If I pass it, then what? >> Uh I don't know what. Um but you you would Do you Do you think you would pass it if you took this? >> I know I would. >> Okay. Do you Would you be okay if I had another detective come in here and administer that to you? >> Yeah. I like Can I have my wife here? This crazy. I mean, I know that uh my attorney, he he could be here. I'd like to have my wife in for moral support. >> No, not not back here, no. >> And the reason for that is >> It That's just more That's not going to be in the back. >> But if my attorney was here, he could be here. >> Attorney, yes, but not a wife, no. I mean, if you were a minor, yes, that'd be different. Your attorney could be here, but not an adult, no. >> All right, what's your question? I'm sorry. It's It's kind of I mean, it's kind of >> I understand. Would you Would you want to Would you want to do that that test to see and prove to me that you're telling me the truth? >> Sure. >> Okay. Well, then hang tight and I'll go get that detective, okay? >> I'm in the waiting room for the stress testing, but I'm not going to do it cuz I don't I don't feel right about it. >> Stress test things don't work at all. They're They're inaccurate and they're not admissible in court. >> Yeah. >> What they do is they just use that as another opportunity to talk to you. They already interviewed you. >> Yeah. >> Well, then I would not take the stress test because they're they just don't work. >> Okay. Uh >> They're not even They're not even a regular polygraph. All they are is a voice stress analyzer and they're absolutely no good in court. >> Okay, you're you're coming back on on a Monday? >> I come back on Sunday. >> Okay. Um Can we hook up or I don't >> I'll be able to meet you on Monday. I'll see if I can meet you on Monday. >> Okay, that'd be great. Um Have fun in the Keys. I'll I'll tell them what's going on and uh >> All right. And And if you if you So, you've already given an interview, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I I mean, you can change that. >> You can change that. I mean, we should we should not have done that if you're already been What What is their attitude now? What are they saying? >> They're telling me about this How come five girls make bad accusations like this? I'm saying, I don't know. They're evil. They want their own way. They're pissed off. >> They want a lot of a lot of that. They want attention. They make them the center of attention. >> Yeah. >> But don't admit to it anything. >> I didn't I'm not kind of I'm not going to admit to something I I didn't do. >> Okay. All right. >> So, I understand that you you don't want to do the test and that's fine. It's hot here. But I I just want you to know that at this point we have charges for three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and two counts of misdemeanor battery and you will be arrested on those charges today. And transported to the jail. >> I'm just going to walk you out and then >> Following his arrest, Richard Silverman was fired, banned from campus, and booked into the Manatee County Jail as the district faced criticism for systemic failures. Silverman was charged with three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and two counts of battery. >> Yes, please, ma'am. >> Silverman denied bond on the molestation charges, keeping him behind bars. >> In his initial court appearances, a judge set Silverman's bond to reflect the gravity of the accusations. As he awaits trial, his legal team has maintained his innocence even as more students have come forward to assist investigators. The case remains active as of early 2026 with the court focusing on the testimonies of the brave students who first blew the whistle on his alleged behavior.