Sex suspect’s
history was hidden

When Bruce McShane was
hired, the DOE could not
obtain fingerprints

By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

A man accused last week of sexually abusing his foster daughter was hired by the Department of Education a year before a state law was passed allowing the department to obtain fingerprints for criminal history checks.

Bruce McShane, also known as Bruce Morris, 60, was indicted by a grand jury Tuesday on charges of attempted first-degree sexual assault and two counts of third-degree sexual assault. He has been a security officer at Waipahu Intermediate School since 1989.

If fingerprints had been obtained from McShane at the time he was hired, FBI checks of his criminal history would have revealed a federal conviction for bank robbery.

McShane, then 31, was convicted here in 1971 and sentenced to five years in prison for robbing First Hawaiian Bank in Aiea of $1,500. State records show two misdemeanor convictions and a 1957 felony conviction for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.

McShane failed to show up for work last Friday -- the first day of school for students -- and on Monday, said Principal Gary Takaki, who was told McShane wasn't feeling well.

It wasn't until McShane's wife notified the school late Tuesday that school officials learned of his arrest for sexual assault.

"It's a shock to all of us," Takaki said.

McShane will be put on administrative leave pending the outcome of criminal proceedings against him, Takaki said.

McShane was hired in 1989, a year before Takaki became principal.

"He's always been caring and students trusted him," Takaki said. He has not received any complaints about McShane's behavior from students.

Takaki said he notified teachers, staff and students and sent home letters notifying parents that McShane would be out pending criminal proceedings.

Before July 1, 1990, the Department of Education was not allowed to obtain fingerprints used to get criminal conviction reports, said Gail Harimoto, personnel specialist.

While the principal is responsible for interviewing people referred for jobs, the department's personnel office conducts criminal history checks and reviews those reports to determine if a conviction is relevant to the position being sought.

The principal will look at the records and discuss them with the district personnel officer or district superintendent as to whether the person should be hired.

Harimoto said she could not comment on the decision-making behind McShane's hiring since she was not privy to the discussions.

Nevertheless, "if he had no subsequent arrests or convictions for the same type of offense -- which is pretty serious -- I think the school probably looked at it as he has rehabilitated," Harimoto said.

"I think they would think it unfair to pass judgment on him for something that happened so many years ago."