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School District Accused Of Cover-Up After Porn Star Reads To 1st Graders

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Porn star Sasha Grey was invited to read books at a local elementary school last week.

Grey, who has also appeared on HBO's Entourage, read children's books to students at Emerson Elementary School in Compton last week as part of the Read Across America program.

She tweeted about the experience, saying students were the "sweetest" ever, but after parents complained, the Compton Unified School District denied that she ever visited the school.

The following statement was issued to TMZ, which also obtained photos of the actress reading to the children:

"We have several celebrities who read to our students each year. The actress you have indicated [Sasha] was not present."

Officials with the school district have not returned calls to CBS2.

Grey released the following statement Friday:

"I am proud to have participated in the "Read Across America" program at Emerson Elementary School in Compton, CA. I read "Dog Breath" by Dav Pilkey to the sweetest 1st and 3rd grade children.

"Read Across America" is a program that was designed to promote literacy and instill a lifelong love of reading in elementary school students. Promoting education is an effort that is close to my heart. Illiteracy contributes to poverty; encouraging children to pick up a book is fundamental.

I believe education is a universal right. I committed to this program with the understanding that people would have their own opinions about what I have done, who I am and what I represent.

I am an actor. I am an artist. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a partner. I have a past that some people may not agree with, but it does not define who I am.

I will not live in fear of it. To challenge non-profit education programs is an exercise in futility, counter-productive and anti-educational.

I cannot thank my fans and 'Read Across America' enough for supporting my decision. Your support and kind words continue to inspire me. I believe in the future of our children, and I will remain an active supporter and participant in education-focused initiatives."

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