Lawsuit Filed Against Charthouse Public Schools for Sexual Assault & Pregnancy of Minor

A civil lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Jane Doe, a minor and former student at Contra Costa School of Performing Arts (COCOSPA), against Charthouse Public Schools and its former employee, Gerard Flaherty.

The lawsuit alleges critical failures in oversight and accountability within the school’s administration, raising serious concerns about student safety.

The lawsuit details that Flaherty, employed as COCOSPA’s Climate and Culture Supervisor, allegedly sexually assaulted Jane Doe in his office on school grounds. According to the complaint, he provided her with alcohol, forcibly embraced her, and engaged in non-consensual sexual intercourse, resulting in her pregnancy.

Flaherty’s arrest in May 2025 followed a police-monitored phone call in which he allegedly pressured the teenage girl to have an abortion to protect his reputation and family. He faces criminal charges, including forcible rape of a child, assault with intent to commit a felony, and unlawful sexual intercourse.

The lawsuit alleges that Flaherty’s grooming behaviors toward the former student included his giving her special attention, communicating with her via private messages and phone calls, offering her rides in his personal vehicle, and isolating her in his office behind a closed or locked door. These actions, the lawsuit claims, were part of a pattern of inappropriate conduct that went unchecked by Charthouse Public Schools.

Despite multiple reports from students, parents, and staff about Flaherty’s troubling behavior, the school administration, including Executive Director Catherine Foster, allegedly failed to act. The complaint cites specific instances where concerns were raised, including a January 2025 report from a parent whose daughter felt uncomfortable with Flaherty’s inappropriate attention and another report of Flaherty allowing students to vape in his office. Rumors of Flaherty’s misconduct, including providing alcohol to students and engaging in an affair with a student, were reportedly dismissed by Foster as unfounded.

The lawsuit asserts that Charthouse Public Schools neglected its obligations under California’s Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and failed to report suspicions of abuse to law enforcement or child protective services, conduct investigations, or discipline Flaherty.

The lawsuit also alleges that Charthouse Public Schools breached its duty to provide a safe learning environment by failing to properly screen, supervise, or discipline Flaherty and by neglecting to train staff to detect and prevent grooming behaviors.

“This case highlights systemic failures in ensuring student safety and accountability,” attorney Lauren Cerri said. “Schools, including this one, need to enact and enforce more robust policies and proactive measures to protect students from abuse.”

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