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A life shaken by false allegations

Nearly a year after an acquittal on molestation charges, Sean Lanigan’s torment hasn’t ended. The Fairfax teacher and coach is struggling to redeem his reputation and career.

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May 5, 2011

Sean Lanigan trains young soccer players in Centreville. In January 2010, a 12-year-old girl at Centre Ridge Elementary School in Centreville accused him of molesting her. It turned out that the girl, angry at Lanigan about a discipline issue, had made up the accusation.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Lanigan sits with his wife, Karin Lanigan, and their dogs at their home in Centreville. Karin Lanigan had to quit her job when the Fairfax County school district transferred her husband to a different school. In April, he was “destaffed” from that position, meaning he must apply again for a job at other schools in the district.

Lanigan sits with his wife, Karin Lanigan, and their dogs at their home in Centreville. Karin Lanigan had to quit her job when the Fairfax County school district transferred her husband to a different school. In April, he was “destaffed” from that position, meaning he must apply again for a job at other schools in the district.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Lanigan is greeted by his oldest daughter, Briana, at his home in Centreville. The publicity surrounding Lanigan's arrest -- police issued a news release with his booking photo and home address, and the school district sent home a letter -- has been hard to overcome. “I was afraid for my family’s safety,” Lanigan said, “based on some of the things posted to the blogs.”

Lanigan is greeted by his oldest daughter, Briana, at his home in Centreville. The publicity surrounding Lanigan's arrest -- police issued a news release with his booking photo and home address, and the school district sent home a letter -- has been hard to overcome. “I was afraid for my family’s safety,” Lanigan said, “based on some of the things posted to the blogs.”

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

From left, Daniel Lanigan, 8, Sean Lanigan, Briana Lanigan, 14, Karin Lanigan and Kylie Lanigan, 11, at their Centreville home. The family had trouble making ends meet while he was suspended from his job without pay, and the case generated $125,000 in legal bills.

From left, Daniel Lanigan, 8, Sean Lanigan, Briana Lanigan, 14, Karin Lanigan and Kylie Lanigan, 11, at their Centreville home. The family had trouble making ends meet while he was suspended from his job without pay, and the case generated $125,000 in legal bills.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Lanigan plays with his son, Daniel, 8, at their home. As a physical education teacher, “I play just like I do with my own children,” Lanigan told the jury at his trial. “Kids ask me to pick ’em up, flip ‘em over.” But despite being acquitted, the Fairfax County public school district has given him strict new guidelines: “Do not touch FCPS students as a means of greeting, playing with, showing approval of, or otherwise interacting with them.'

Lanigan plays with his son, Daniel, 8, at their home. As a physical education teacher, “I play just like I do with my own children,” Lanigan told the jury at his trial. “Kids ask me to pick ’em up, flip ‘em over.” But despite being acquitted, the Fairfax County public school district has given him strict new guidelines: “Do not touch FCPS students as a means of greeting, playing with, showing approval of, or otherwise interacting with them."

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Lanigan trains young soccer players in Centreville. Virginia's public soccer leagues immediately reinstated Lanigan as a coach after his acquittal, but the Fairfax school district was much more hesitant.

Lanigan trains young soccer players in Centreville. Virginia's public soccer leagues immediately reinstated Lanigan as a coach after his acquittal, but the Fairfax school district was much more hesitant.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Lanigan clowns around with some of his soccer trainees. Coaching and teaching has been a way to keep sports in his life. “I fell in love with it,” Lanigan says. “Seeing kids through and watching them develop, mature, grow into productive citizens. I come to work with a smile on my face every day.”

Lanigan clowns around with some of his soccer trainees. Coaching and teaching has been a way to keep sports in his life. “I fell in love with it,” Lanigan says. “Seeing kids through and watching them develop, mature, grow into productive citizens. I come to work with a smile on my face every day.”

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Lanigan talks with a parent of one of the young players he trains in soccer.

Lanigan talks with a parent of one of the young players he trains in soccer.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Lanigan goes through exercises with some of the young players he trains in soccer in Centreville. Lanigan has coached soccer constantly, both at the youth travel level and high school at his alma mater, Herndon High School.

Lanigan goes through exercises with some of the young players he trains in soccer in Centreville. Lanigan has coached soccer constantly, both at the youth travel level and high school at his alma mater, Herndon High School.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Lanigan trains Payton Moore, 10, during soccer practice. “There was no evidence,” said says one of the jurors who acquitted him, Jacklyn West. She wept in the jury box as the lawyers made their closing arguments, later explaining that the 12-year-old accuser “had no idea of the consequences” of her allegations. “This poor man. That’s why I cried.”

Lanigan trains Payton Moore, 10, during soccer practice. “There was no evidence,” said says one of the jurors who acquitted him, Jacklyn West. She wept in the jury box as the lawyers made their closing arguments, later explaining that the 12-year-old accuser “had no idea of the consequences” of her allegations. “This poor man. That’s why I cried.”

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Lanigan, who is also head coach of the Herndon High School boys' soccer team, talks with his team before a game at Fairfax High School. Herndon is unbeaten and the top-ranked team in the region.

May 5, 2011

Lanigan, who is also head coach of the Herndon High School boys' soccer team, talks with his team before a game at Fairfax High School. Herndon is unbeaten and the top-ranked team in the region.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Lanigan prepares the Herndon High School boys' soccer team for a game at Fairfax High School. Although he's still coaching, he faces large legal bills and an uncertain teaching future. “Emotionally, a part of me has died inside,” he says. “I’m physically and mentally exhausted all the time, how the whole process has been dragged out to this date. It certainly has affected the quality of life for me and my family at home.”

May 5, 2011

Lanigan prepares the Herndon High School boys' soccer team for a game at Fairfax High School. Although he's still coaching, he faces large legal bills and an uncertain teaching future. “Emotionally, a part of me has died inside,” he says. “I’m physically and mentally exhausted all the time, how the whole process has been dragged out to this date. It certainly has affected the quality of life for me and my family at home.”

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

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