BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – A former Howard trustee has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexually assaulting a teenager.
James Widiger was previously convicted of having inappropriate contact with one of his female piano students, who was 14 at the time.
She testified at Tuesday’s sentencing hearing.
“What happened in the lesson rooms for four years, still impacts me today. I still throw myself into my school work, but I still have a hard time trusting male teachers and avoid staying with them after school. I used to love listening to piano music, but now I can’t listen to it without feeling nervous.”
Widiger also spoke:
“I realize that in the eyes of this court, I’ve been found guilty and as such there is a price to be paid. This has devastated both myself and my wife. We are sticking together on this; she’s very supportive of me, and it hurts very much to see her going through this.”
Widiger will also spend ten years under extended supervision.
