Four more charged over Steubenville, Ohio high school rape case

A school superintendent and three others have been charged with lying or failing to report possible child abuse after an investigation prompted by the rape of a semi-conscious 16-year-old girl by two high school football players in the US state of Ohio.

The investigation included crimes committed in connection with the case against two members of the Steubenville High School team as well as a separate alleged rape in April 2012, four months before the assault that drew nationwide attention over claims prosecutors should have charged more players.

Internet activists helped propel coverage of the rape case and press allegations of a cover-up, including re-posting of a 12-minute video made within hours of the attacks in which a former student joked about the victim.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine convened the grand jury to look into the behaviour of school administrators and other adults after the two players were convicted in March.

Two people had already been charged before Steubenville superintendent Michael McVey, strength coach Seth Fluharty, volunteer football coach Matthew Belardine and elementary school principal Lynnett Gorman were charged on Monday.

McVey's charges include counts of obstructing justice and tampering with evidence and a charge alleging he made a false statement in April 2012.