Gwinnett teacher accused of sex abuse denies charges

A former Gwinnett County teacher has “no idea” why he’s been charged with sexual abuse and child molestation of two girls when they were students at the acclaimed Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology, his attorney said Thursday.

“I have no idea why they are bringing the charges the way they are,” Kevin J. Pratt, the attorney for Michael Appelbaum, said after his client waived a court appearance Thursday morning to discuss the charges against him.

“He’s a schoolteacher,” Pratt added. “He doesn’t understand why this is happening to him.”

Appelbaum, 40, was arrested last week on allegations he had sexual relations with a student during the 2011-12 school year and touched the buttocks of another student at the school in 2013. Authorities began a criminal investigation into the Roswell man earlier this month after one of the girls came forward with her allegations.

Pratt said his client denies the charges and will file paperwork in Gwinnett Superior Court to get Appelbaum out on bail. Appelbaum is being held without bond at the Gwinnett County Jail.

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