Ryan Imgrund, a former Ontario teacher who gained a significant following on social media for his commentary on COVID-19 in the wake of the pandemic, is facing a second set of professional misconduct charges, according to the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).
The latest allegations are detailed in a notice of hearing filed by the OCT. The notice alleges Imgrund sent four unsolicited nude photos of himself to an 18-year-old girl in 2005. The notice says Imgrund was family friends with the girl’s parents and that the photos were sent via MSN messenger.
At the time, Imgrund was working at York Catholic School (YCDSB).
It should be noted that no criminal charges have been brought against Imgrund and neither set of charges has been proven in court.
A self-described “biostatistician,” Imgrund posted daily analysis of COVID-19 during the pandemic, amassing more than 90,000 Twitter followers. On November 30, Imgrund moved his commentary exclusively to Patreon, a paid subscription service.
Imgrund did not immediately respond to CTV News Toronto’s request for comment.
In the first notice of hearing filed in September, Imgrund is alleged to have “sexually,” “emotionally” and “psychologically” abused students while in his position at the YCDSB.
The notice details the accounts of five students dating back to 2015. All five were on a school team that Imgrund coached.
The September notice alleges Imgrund messaged four students in a group message, inviting them to join him at the resort pool while he was at an out-of-town tournament.
In another case, Imgrund is accused of using a “technique requiring students to press their bottoms against him” with three of the athletes during practice.
The notice also detailed separate accounts of Imgrund engaging in “inappropriate electronic communications” with students on an individual level.
In one instance, he allegedly sent a picture of himself shirtless, saying, “If you don’t say I look good, I’m going to cry,” or words to that effect.
In another, the college accuses Imgrund of “requesting and/or obtaining photographs” from a student that showed her in a bathing suit. He allegedly scolded the student when she stopped responding to his messages and emailed the school’s guidance counselor requesting that the student’s schedule be changed when she was not placed in his class.
On one or more occasions, Imgrund is accused of taking the same student on “long walks” alone in his car. He sent another student “numerous” messages, saying he “‘wanted to get to know her as a coach and a player, not just a teacher and a student,’ or words to that effect,” the college alleged. Another student was allegedly asked by Imgrund about her romantic relationships, offering to drive her to and from work.
The notice also accused him of driving students in his car “at a high rate of speed,” stating, “This is a cool area. You can swear.”
When reached for comment on the first set of allegations, the York Catholic District School Board said they could not comment on a matter that is before the Ontario College of Teachers, but stressed that Imgrund is no longer an employee of the school board.
Imgrund resigned from the Ontario College of Teachers on June 8.
With files from Hanna Alberga
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