Christina (Hiotis) Formella, a former special education teacher and soccer coach at Downers Grove South High School in Illinois, is awaiting trial on 55 felony counts stemming from allegations of a sexual relationship with a former student who was reportedly about 14 when the alleged contact began.
Formella, who is Greek-American, was arrested in March 2025 after the student’s mother allegedly discovered explicit messages, according to reports about the case.
Prosecutors allege the relationship began around January 2023 and continued until late summer 2024. The allegations include approximately 45 to 50 sexual encounters, some of which prosecutors claim occurred on school grounds during tutoring sessions or soccer coaching activities.
The reported charges include criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child and grooming.
Formella denies the allegations
Formella has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her defence has reportedly argued that she was set up and blackmailed, and that some messages were sent from her phone without her knowledge.
A representative of her family has also criticised media coverage of the case, describing it as misogynistic.
Formella has reportedly been released pending trial under court-imposed conditions, including GPS monitoring, restrictions on contact with minors and a prohibition on entering school grounds.
Her husband, Michael Formella, has attended court hearings with her. Their relationship has also attracted public attention, although reports cited in the original account indicated that no divorce filing had been publicly reported as of May 2026.
Trial proceedings continue
A status hearing on September 23, 2026, reportedly moved the proceedings towards November. However, no trial date has been confirmed in the information provided.
Formella has also been described in reports as the second Greek-American female teacher recently arrested in connection with a similar type of alleged offence.
The case remains before the courts, and the allegations have yet to be tested at trial. Formella is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Bill Giannopoulos
Junior Editor
Bill Giannopoulos is a Junior Editor at Greek City Times, covering Greek and international news, sport, and history.