Sexual assault charges against former Butler school board member William “Bill” Halle were held for common pleas court at a preliminary hearing Monday, July 10, where the 17-year-old who Halle is charged with having an intimate relationship with would not testify in court.

The girl’s attorney said she refused to testify because she sees Halle as a “good friend" and doesn’t want to see him charged. She was found in contempt of court because of the refusal.

Halle, 58, was charged May 30 by city police for an alleged intimate relationship with the girl, which he employed and counseled at Net Outreach Center in Butler. Net Outreach is connected to Grace Youth and Family Foundation, which Halle founded in 1994.

Halle is charged with felonies sexual assault by a volunteer or employee of a nonprofit, corruption of minors and criminal use of communication facility and unlawful contact with a minor.

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