BEVERLY, Mass. (AP) – Beverly’s public library director was placed on administrative leave after prosecutors filed a charge accusing him of showing pornographic movies to a teenage boy.

Thomas Scully, 56, had an inappropriate friendship with a boy he met at the library two years ago, prosecutors said. The boy was then 15.

Scully pleaded innocent Friday in Salem District Court to a charge of disseminating obscene material to a minor. His lawyer, Ronald Ranta, said Scully “adamantly denies the allegations.”

Prosecutors said Scully showed gay pornographic movies to the boy at Scully’s home, and allowed him access to X-rated Web sites over the past two years.

Scully, who has managed the city’s libraries for 19 years, has been placed on paid administrative leave. He has no criminal record. He was released without bail, and is due back in court June 1.

Prosecutor Mark Dewan said the boy visited Scully’s home “hundreds of times” over the past two years. Police learned of the relationship last week when the boy’s foster father reported that Scully gave the boy gifts, authorities said.

Prosecutors said the boy told investigators that he and Scully never had a physical relationship aside from “a hug or a pat on the back,” Dewan said.

Ranta said in a written statement that Scully “has an unblemished record in the community, both in his civic and private life. We fully expect that he will be acquitted of these charges.”

AP-ES-04-24-05 1645EDT