News: Playgirl Model in School Flap

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Two-time Playgirl centerfold Julian Fantechi, who is also a full-time occupational therapist at a Queens elementary school, found himself in hot water this week. A complaint about his steamy photo spreads was made to special school investigator Richard Condon's office; it was then forwarded to the city’s Office of Special Investigations, officials said yesterday. According to schools spokeswoman Dina Paul Parks, investigators found that Fantechi’s modeling broke no rules and was not a danger to the students.

Fantechi is a state-licensed occupational therapist with a master's degree from New York University. He began working with special-needs students about six years ago. “I can have this career, and I can also have a heart and work with children,” Fantechi told the New York Daily News. "It's totally separate," he said of his job at the school. “I haven’t done anything that I’m ashamed of.”

The 37-year-old hunk has also modeled for Saks Fifth Avenue and Men’s Health magazine, in addition to such gay publications as Men and Odyssey. He also had a small role in ABC’s hit show Ugly Betty.

Fantechi also said that he wants to reassure parents he would “never, ever do anything to jeopardize a child” and that he is devoted to helping special-needs students. “I’d want them to know that just because I was a Playgirl centerfold has nothing to do with my capabilities as a physical therapist,” he said.