Coach Busted In Prostitution Sting To Return To Work

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A popular football coach who was arrested over the weekend for allegedly trying to pick up a prostitute, will be back to work on Thursday, WFTV learned.

The school district told 68-year-old John Moranto he has to take Wednesday off, but with pay. Other than that, Moranto won't be punished by the school district.

POLICE REPORT: Daytona Prostitution Sting Arrests

John Moranto was arrested over the weekend in an undercover prostitution sting. Tuesday, the Mainland High School coach met with school district leaders, and was told he could be back to work on Thursday.

The lawyer for the popular football coach told WFTV his client is being falsely accused.

Maronto makes a little more than $32,000 as a part-time P.E. teacher and another $5,000 as head football coach.

Coach John Maronto will only be away from Mainland High School in Daytona Beach for one more day. But before the decision came down from the district, one student told WFTV the campus was split about whether he should ever come back.

"He's a good guy. I think he deserves a fair chance. What happened was done off campus," parent Tracy Sloss said.

Parents like Sloss said they're holding off on judgment about Maronto's arrest early Sunday for soliciting an undercover police officer posing as a prostitute.

Even though investigators said they have video and audio of Maronto offering $50 for sex, his attorney, David Damore, insists he's innocent.

"The coach denies the accusation. We're going to fight very hard to vindicate him," Damore said.

The district now says it was the superintendent who asked Maronto to stay home from school Tuesday. WFTV tried to reach him at his condo in Daytona Beach Shores, but nobody answered.

"Would he be treated any differently if he was just another teacher?" WFTV reporter Eric Rasmussen asked.

"No. He's getting the same treatment as any other employee would with the district," said Nancy Wait, Volusia County School District.

The decision means Maronto will be back in time for the team's next game Thursday night.

Previous Stories: September 7, 2010: Lawyer: Football Coach Was Falsely Accused September 6, 2010: Popular H.S. Football Coach Arrested In Prostitution Sting September 6, 2010: Mainland H.S. Football Coach Arrested In Prostitution Sting

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