Evidence seized from Benjamin’s home, then in Wayland, included videotapes of the three teens, along with “a box of photographs containing hundreds of photographs of numerous naked boys approximately age 8 to 15 . . . performing sexual acts upon one another,’’ according to prosecutors.
In the statement, prosecutors said at the time that Benjamin had “embarked on a well-rehearsed scheme to lure’’ the three male teens into sexual activity - with disastrous consequence.
“The defendant’s exploitation of these boys for his own sexual gratification caused such feelings of ‘anger, hurt and misery, that [the teens] could not even explain,’ ’’ the prosecutors said. Documents also said Benjamin had faced additional sex abuse charges dating to the 1970s.
This week, conservatory officials said they would no longer hire Benjamin. They then dismissed Zander, who has received world acclaim as a conductor, after learning he had hired Benjamin to videotape youth orchestra performances with full knowledge of his record as a sex offender.
Last night, in a phone interview with the Globe, the 68-year-old Benjamin, who now lives in Brighton, defended his work for the conservatory and criticized school officials for canceling his contract work, asserting that he has not reoffended since his release from prison and noting that he completed five years of supervised probation.
“I’ve done everything right,’’ he said. “I deserve a break here.’’
Benjamin also said he believes the conservatory overreacted because of the sexual abuse controversy that has engulfed Penn State University and its legendary football program. In November, former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was indicted on sex abuse charges and two other university officials were charged with failing to notify police of the abuse allegations.
Since leaving prison, Benjamin said, he has had just one brush with the law, an arrest because of an altercation with a trash collector.
