When reports surfaced about a longtime high school coach conducting "fat tests" behind closed doors, the story shocked Rhode Island — and raised serious legal and ethical questions about student safety, institutional responsibility, and transparency in public education.

In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole P. Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen are joined by investigative reporter Tim White of WPRI 12 (and RWU Law MSL '22) to unpack the disturbing case out of North Kingstown. Together, they explore what went wrong, why it took so long to come to light, and what it tells us about how misconduct is handled in schools.

In this episode, we cover:

• What happened in the North Kingstown “fat test” scandal — and how it unfolded
• What legal obligations schools have to report and investigate abuse
• The roles of Title IX, mandated reporting laws, and civil litigation
• How journalists approach sensitive investigations involving minors
• What systems failed — and what accountability looks like
• The lasting impact on students, families, and the wider community

This episode explores not just a local scandal but a broader reckoning over power, trust, and institutional silence.

Listen now and subscribe to Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded — legal conversations made accessible.

• People Magazine: "Former High School Basketball Coach Accused of Molesting Boys During Nude 'Fat Testing' Goes to Trial"
  https://people.com/former-coach-accused-molesting-boys-during-fat-testing-goes-to-trial-11707208
• GoLocalProv article: "North Kingstown Naked Fat Test Coach Charged with Sexual Assault and Child Molestation"
  https://www.golocalprov.com/news/new-north-kingstown-naked-fat-test-coach-charged-with-sexual-assault-and-ch
• Tim White and Eli Sherman - WPRI break down the verdict in the "naked fat test" trial of Aaron Thomas.https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1429194511765168
• The Public's Radio | Rhode Island PBS https://www.ripbs.org/news-and-culture/jury-finds-former-ri-high-school-basketball-coach-not-guilty-of-sex-crimes
• RI Relevant Laws
  Second-Degree Child Molestation — R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-37-8.4 https://law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/title-11/chapter-11-37/section-11-37-8-4/
• Simple Assault or Battery (Misdemeanor Penalties) -- R.I. Gen. Laws § 11‑5‑3https://law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/title-11/chapter-11-5/section-11-5-3/