Latest News

$6M Settlement Sends Warning to Schools: Stop Ignoring Predators in the Classroom

Published on: August 13, 2025 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

The Twin Rivers Unified School District has agreed to a $6 million settlement in a civil lawsuit stemming from sexual abuse by a former teacher at Del Paso Heights Elementary School. The case was brought by the San Jose-based law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard on behalf of a victim, Jane Doe, who was sexually abused by teacher Kim Wilson during the 2014-2015 school year when she was in sixth grade.

According to the lawsuit, Wilson used his position as head of the school’s broadcast group to isolate the young student in a locked, windowless, soundproof room on school grounds, where the abuse took place. All incidents occurred while both the teacher and student were under the supervision of the school district. The lawsuit alleges the District failed to properly monitor Wilson, allowing his predatory behavior to continue unchecked for years.

Attorney Lauren Cerri, representing the victim, called the $6 million settlement a powerful warning to parents, educators, and school officials about the hidden dangers of trusted educators who conceal their abuse behind a facade of mentorship. She emphasized the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard children, especially as students return to classrooms each new school year.

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District Ignored Years of Complaints, Lawsuits Claim in Terra Nova High Abuse Cases

Published on: August 13, 2025 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

Two lawsuits have been filed against the Jefferson Union High School District alleging the district’s failure to protect female students from sexual abuse by two teachers at Terra Nova High School, the law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard announced.

The first lawsuit involves a current student, identified only as Jane Doe. She claims she was groomed and sexually assaulted by her woodshop instructor, Paul Spinetti, during the 2024-2025 academic year. The student was a freshman enrolled in special education classes at the time of the alleged abuse.

According to the complaint, after disclosing the assault to her mother, law enforcement was notified and Spinetti was arrested on felony charges related to lewd and lascivious acts. The lawsuit accuses the district of ignoring prior allegations and rumors about Spinetti’s inappropriate behavior, which dated back several years. These included inappropriate touching, sexually suggestive gifts made in class, and comments targeted at female students. Despite multiple reports from students and parents over the years, no investigations or disciplinary actions were reportedly taken by the district, nor were authorities or child protective agencies informed as required by law.

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A Decades-Long Fight for Justice – $1.6 Million Settlement in Mountain View Whisman School District

Published on: August 4, 2025 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

The law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard secured justice for two survivors of sexual abuse that occurred over 50 years ago. The Mountain View Whisman School District (MVWSD) agreed to pay $1.6 million to settle a lawsuit brought by two former students who alleged abuse by Steven Myers, a former teacher and vice principal at Crittenden Middle School in the 1970s. This settlement marks a crucial step toward accountability for past failures in student protection and highlights a disturbing pattern of misconduct by Myers, who also faced allegations in Santa Cruz City Schools (SCCS).

The case, emerging nearly 50 years after the alleged abuse, highlights both the enduring impact of childhood trauma and the evolving legal landscape that has enabled survivors to seek justice decades later.

The MVWSD settlement addresses claims by two former Crittenden Middle School students who allege that Myers groomed and sexually assaulted them in the 1970s. The allegations center on Myers’ operation of the Traveling School Summer Program, a six-week initiative targeting students with behavioral and academic challenges. Described as a “school on wheels,” the program incorporated controversial elements, including “Body Theme Days” where students were required to wear minimal clothing, such as bikinis or speedos, and participate in massage sessions led by Myers.

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San Ramon Valley Unified School District Settles for Nearly $7M

Published on: July 31, 2025 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

The San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) has agreed to a $6,999,900 settlement with two former students who alleged sexual abuse by former theater teacher Ryan Weible, as announced by the law firm Cerri, Boskovich & Allard. The settlement resolves a lawsuit claiming the district failed to protect the students from abuse that occurred between 2009 and 2012.

The plaintiffs, both minors at San Ramon Valley High School during the period of abuse, accused Weible of exploiting his authority to groom and sexually abuse them over several years. The abuse took place in various locations, including school grounds, Weible’s vehicle, his apartment, and during a school-sponsored senior trip to New York City. The lawsuit, filed in February 2024, highlighted the district’s negligence in addressing clear warning signs of Weible’s misconduct.

Attorney Lauren Cerri, representing the plaintiffs, criticized SRVUSD’s response, stating, “The district ignored obvious indicators of inappropriate conduct, failing to intervene, investigate, or report suspicions to authorities. They neglected disciplinary procedures and failed to train staff adequately to recognize grooming and abuse, allowing Weible’s actions to continue unchecked.” Cerri also noted that the district permitted Weible to resign quietly without reporting him to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or fully cooperating with police, withholding critical information.

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San Francisco Waldorf School and Tutoring Company Sued Over Decades-Old Sexual Abuse Allegations by Former Students

Published on: May 30, 2025 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

A new lawsuit filed in San Francisco County Superior Court by the law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard alleges that two former students, identified as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, were sexually abused as minors by Jason Davis, a former teacher and tutor at the San Francisco Waldorf High School. The suit names the San Francisco Waldorf School Association, the tutoring company One Smart Kid, LLC, and Davis as defendants, and accuses both institutions of institutional negligence that enabled the abuse to occur and continue unchecked.

According to the complaint, the abuse began in the 2001-2002 school year when Waldorf arranged for Jane Doe 1, then a sophomore, to be tutored by Davis through One Smart Kid. Davis allegedly used his authority and access to groom Jane Doe 1, holding tutoring sessions in isolated classrooms, discussing his own sexual experiences, and initiating inappropriate physical contact. The grooming escalated to repeated sexual abuse on school grounds. The lawsuit details a particularly egregious incident in which a school administrator discovered Jane Doe 1 disheveled with Davis in a secluded area but failed to investigate or report the incident to authorities. Despite this warning sign, Davis continued to abuse Jane Doe 1 throughout her junior year.

The following school year, instead of removing Davis, Waldorf offered him a part-time teaching position. During the 2003-2004 academic year, Davis allegedly used his new role to groom Jane Doe 2, then a sophomore, eventually leading to multiple sexual assaults. The lawsuit claims Davis would drive Jane Doe 2 home after school events and sexually assault her during these drives or at his apartment. The pattern of abuse mirrored his earlier conduct with Jane Doe 1, suggesting a repeated failure by the school and the tutoring company to recognize or act on red flags.

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Gilroy Unified School District Faces Third Lawsuit Over Student Safety Failures Amid Rising Campus Violence

Published on: May 30, 2025 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

The law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard has filed a third lawsuit against the Gilroy Unified School District (GUSD), intensifying scrutiny over the district’s handling of student safety and supervision. This latest legal action, announced on May 7, 2025, comes in the wake of a $100,000 settlement reached just a day prior in a separate but related case, underscoring a pattern of alleged negligence by district officials in protecting students from campus violence.

The new complaint centers on an incident at Christopher High School involving Jane Doe, a minor who was violently assaulted and bullied by another student, Heather Doe, on March 8, 2024. The attack occurred during a passing period, with Heather Doe reportedly pulling Jane’s hoodie over her head, knocking her to the ground, and physically assaulting her for several minutes. The incident was captured on video by students and sent to Jane’s mother. Notably, no staff members were present to intervene during the assault. The lawsuit alleges that school officials were aware of Heather Doe’s history of violent behavior but failed to warn or adequately inform campus staff, and did not take sufficient preventive measures.

Jane Doe’s mother had previously raised concerns with the district about ongoing campus violence, frequent fights, and insufficient adult supervision. She was told that the problems were due to a lack of supervisors and funding. Following the attack, Jane Doe no longer felt safe attending school and is now being homeschooled. The lawsuit claims the district breached its duty to supervise and protect students, failed to adhere to mandatory safety regulations, and neglected to implement effective safety plans.

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San Francisco Unified School District Reaches $1.5 Million Settlement in 20-Year-Old Lowell High School Sexual Abuse Case

Published on: May 13, 2025 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) has agreed to a $1.5 million settlement in a lawsuit involving allegations of sexual abuse by a former teacher and counselor at Lowell High School. The lawsuit, brought by a former student now identified as “John Doe,” claimed that the District failed to properly supervise Harlan Edelman, enabling years of abuse that began during the 2004-2005 academic year.

The complaint detailed how Edelman, then a teacher and counselor at the prestigious Lowell High School, began “grooming” the student under the pretense of academic mentorship. Edelman offered rides home, bought meals and gifts, and presented himself as a trusted adult invested in Doe’s success. According to the lawsuit, school officials ignored warning signs and failed to intervene, allowing Edelman to abuse the student repeatedly on campus, including in his office and classroom.

During the litigation, it emerged that another student had reported being sexually assaulted by a different counselor during the same school year, with Edelman allegedly helping to cover up that incident. Despite reports from students and parents, school officials did not take appropriate action. Attorney Lauren Cerri, representing John Doe, stated, “School officials admitted that they felt there was no reason to supervise any of the counselors more closely. Had they done so, most likely Edelman’s abuse of my client would have been detected and stopped”.

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Prestigious Palo Alto Girls’ School Sued for Alleged Cover-Up of Sexual Abuse

Published on: February 17, 2025 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

A lawsuit has been filed against Castilleja School, a private all-girls institution, by three former students alleging sexual abuse. The legal action, brought by the law firms Cerri, Boskovich & Allard and Mary Alexander & Associates, claims that the school concealed a tutor’s predatory behavior and failed to address complaints about his alleged sexual misconduct with minors.

The lawsuit accuses Castilleja School of negligent supervision, negligent misrepresentation, and inadequate training. It alleges that the school did not properly investigate or report prior complaints about the inappropriate behavior of tutor Mark Hodes.

According to the complaint, Castilleja School was aware of Hodes’ inappropriate behavior as early as 1992-1993. The school was reportedly on notice that Hodes engaged in highly inappropriate grooming behavior with minor female students, creating a risk of sexual assault.

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Lawsuit Highlights Vulnerabilities of Autistic Students

Published on: February 3, 2025 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

Lawsuit Alleges Negligence in Sexual Abuse Case Involving Autistic Child

A lawsuit filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court has brought to light serious allegations of negligence against Trumpet Behavioral Health, LLC and its parent company, BlueSprig. The case, filed by the law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, centers on the alleged sexual abuse of an 11-year-old autistic girl by a behavioral therapist during home-based therapy sessions.

Trumpet Behavioral Health, LLC is a provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children, teens, and young adults with autism and intellectual disabilities. The company offers both home-based and center-based services across multiple states, including California. In late 2023, Trumpet was acquired by BlueSprig, another ABA therapy provider.

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Tamalpais Union High School District Reaches $17.5 Million Settlement Over Sexual Abuse by Former Coach

Published on: December 27, 2024 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

The Tamalpais Union High School District has agreed to a $17.5 million settlement to resolve four sexual abuse lawsuits involving former tennis coach Normandie Burgos. The settlement includes $11.5 million awarded to A.H., a victim who successfully sued the district in Marin County Superior Court (Case No. CIV2001133). This amount also accounts for over $1 million in interest after the district unsuccessfully appealed a $10 million jury verdict from 2022, which found the district liable for failing to protect A.H. from Burgos’ abuse.

The settlement also resolves three additional lawsuits brought by two former Tamalpais High School students and a private tennis player who received lessons from Burgos at the school. One of the victims, identified as John Doe, will receive $4.5 million for abuse that began during the 1999-2000 school year, when Burgos was still a probationary employee without tenure protections. Doe testified that a school administrator witnessed Burgos sexually abusing him but failed to intervene or report the incident, instead making a joke and walking away.

“None of these men should have ever been abused,” said attorney Mark Boskovich, who represented the victims. “The district’s failure to act enabled and emboldened Burgos to continue his predatory behavior.”

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