SAN JOSE, Calif. _ More than a year after being recalled by voters, the controversial judge in the Brock Turner sexual assault case is now working as a coach at a California high school.
In a statement Tuesday, the Fremont Union High School District confirmed Aaron Persky was hired to head the junior varsity girls tennis team at Lynbrook High School in San Jose. Persky applied for the open position over the summer and successfully completed all of the district's hiring requirements, including a fingerprint background check.
"He was a highly qualified applicant, having attended several tennis coaching clinics for youth and holds a high rating from the United States Tennis Association," the statement said.
Persky was ousted as a superior court judge in June 2018 after more than 60% of Santa Clara County voters who went to the polls agreed he should be recalled over his handling of the Turner case.
Critics launched the recall effort in mid-2016, immediately after Persky gave Turner what many considered a light sentence _ six months, of which the ex-swimmer served three _ for sexually assaulting an intoxicated, unconscious woman outside a campus fraternity party. Under state law, Turner must also register for life as a sex offender.
Persky is only the fifth judge in California history to be booted out of office before his term is up _ and the first in 86 years.
Some community members have expressed concerns over Persky's hiring, according to the statement.
"In response to concerns from some members of our community, we held a meeting with the parents of both the JV and varsity girls tennis teams on Sept. 9 to provide parents with background on the situation," the statement said. "Our focus remains on ensuring that our students have the best possible educational experience � both academically and athletically."
"As this is an ongoing personnel matter," the statement continued, "we are unable to comment further at this time."
Last week, the woman Turner sexually assaulted � known as "Emily Doe" � revealed her real name: Chanel Miller. She plans to tell her own story in a memoir, titled "Know My Name," due out on Sept. 24.
