The survivor, identified in legal filings as Jane Doe, was a fifteen-year-old freshman during the 2002–2003 school year when she was targeted by her teacher, Shawn Thomas. The lawsuit detailed a calculated process of grooming that led to numerous sexual assaults, many of which occurred on school grounds.

According to the complaint, Thomas utilized his position of authority to isolate the student, frequently assaulting her in his portable classroom and a storage room located within the boys’ locker room. The abuse eventually resulted in Doe becoming pregnant at age 15. The lawsuit further alleges that Thomas pressured and forced the minor to undergo an abortion in the spring of 2003.

Central to the $5.75 million settlement is the disturbing allegation that the school’s administration was aware of the inappropriate relationship but failed to intervene. The lawsuit highlights a specific incident where Thomas’s wife, Sarah Thomas, who served as the Dean of Leigh High School at the time, allegedly discovered the victim alone with her husband in his classroom. The pair had reportedly stopped their sexual encounter abruptly as they saw her approaching.

Even more distressing are the claims regarding Jane Doe’s attempts to seek help. After becoming pregnant, Doe allegedly disclosed to Sarah Thomas that Shawn Thomas had been having sexual intercourse with her. Rather than fulfilling her duty as a mandatory reporter and school administrator, Sarah Thomas allegedly responded by blaming the victim. The lawsuit claims the Dean asked the young student how she “could do this to her” after everything she had done for the student.

Following this confrontation, the abuse did not stop. Shawn Thomas reportedly continued to sexually assault the victim on school property, including the aforementioned storage room incidents.

The abuse remained hidden for years until the survivor’s sister urged her to come forward to law enforcement. Shawn Thomas was finally arrested last year following a formal disclosure of the rapes.

In a statement regarding the settlement, the survivor’s sister noted that while financial compensation cannot undo the trauma, it represents a vital step toward accountability. “This settlement is one more step toward my sister reclaiming her life after the immense harm she endured,” she stated. She expressed hope that this legal resolution ensures no other student is “ignored or unprotected in the way she was.”

The size of the settlement reflects the severity of the institutional failures at Leigh High School. By failing to investigate clear red flags and allegedly allowing a high-ranking administrator to silence a victim, the district left a minor in a position of extreme vulnerability.

The resolution of this case underscores the ongoing legal shift toward holding educational institutions responsible for historical abuse, particularly when administrative negligence allowed predators to operate with impunity.

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.

The investigation revealed troubling details beyond the sexual abuse. In February 2020, fifth-grade students reported Wilson’s verbal and emotional abuse, including racist slurs, name-calling, and inappropriate conduct such as spraying students with water. Despite repeated complaints and a district reprimand for violating teaching standards, Wilson was not removed from his position.

In 2021, further allegations arose, including use of racist language and offensive behavior, culminating in another district investigation that again found violations of teaching standards but resulted only in a letter of reprimand. This pattern of inadequate oversight is central to the lawsuit’s claim that the district’s negligence enabled Wilson’s “serial predation” on students.

Wilson was arrested in January 2023 and later pled guilty in 2025 to nine counts of lewd acts upon a child, admitting to abusing multiple victims. He was sentenced to 215 years to life in prison. Authorities found videos and evidence of abuse at both the school and Wilson’s home.

The lawsuit also highlights prior warning signs that went unheeded, such as yard duty supervisors noting Wilson’s suspicious behavior with female students during lunch recesses. Despite these red flags, the district failed to take decisive action to protect students.

Attorney Cerri stressed that stronger supervision and accountability by the district could have prevented much of the abuse. She called on other potential victims to come forward, underscoring the broader implications of the case for schools and communities.

This $6 million settlement stands as a stark reminder of the critical need for schools to rigorously screen, supervise, and monitor staff to ensure student safety. It sends a clear message that failure to act on warning signs not only endangers children but also exposes districts to serious legal and financial consequences. Parents, educators, and administrators are urged to maintain heightened awareness and to foster environments where abuse cannot be concealed or tolerated.

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.

The complaint asserts that both the San Francisco Waldorf School and One Smart Kid were negligent in hiring, supervising, and retaining Davis, even after clear warning signs and opportunities to intervene. It further alleges that the institutions failed to fulfill their legal obligation to report suspected child abuse, even after Jane Doe 1 disclosed the abuse years later to a teacher. Rather than supporting the victim or alerting authorities, the school allegedly dismissed her concerns and failed to take any action.

Attorney Mark Boskovich, representing the plaintiffs, stated, “This lawsuit isn’t just about the past; it’s a critical call for all educational institutions to rigorously vet, supervise, and act decisively to protect students. When that duty is breached, the harm to the victims is lifelong and demands redress”.

The case highlights broader concerns about institutional responsibility and the long-term impact of childhood sexual abuse, underscoring the need for schools and educational organizations to prioritize student safety and respond decisively to allegations of misconduct.

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”.

John Doe did not disclose the abuse until 2008, when he began seeking therapy to address its impact. “Given the effect this has had on my life, I wish I could go back in time and have forced the school district to prevent my abuse from happening in the first place,” Doe said in a statement.

Edelman continued to work for SFUSD after his time at Lowell, teaching at the Academy of Arts and Sciences until his resignation in September 2013. In 2014, Edelman was arrested in a sting operation by Mountain View police, who posed as a 17-year-old boy online.

This settlement comes amid broader scrutiny of SFUSD’s handling of sexual abuse cases. Earlier last year, attorney Lauren Cerri settled two additional sexual abuse cases against the District for $4.5 million, involving former George Washington High School athletic director Lawrence Young-Yet Chan.

Attorney Cerri emphasized the importance of accountability: “We hope that by bringing attention to the harm suffered years ago by victims of childhood sexual abuse, school districts throughout California will recognize the life-long harm they inflict when they choose to protect educators and the district’s reputation over the safety of students”.

John Doe echoed this sentiment, expressing disappointment that the district relies on liability insurance to resolve such cases rather than focusing on prevention. Still, he voiced hope, inspired by current Lowell students who have spoken out and organized for change, including #MeToo walkouts. “Their activism shows the power of collective action to demand accountability and work toward a safer environment for everyone. Thank you for your voices. We were never alone,” Doe said.

More on this development at:

SFUSD reaches $1.5M settlement in sex abuse lawsuit involving former counselor

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.

Attorney Lauren Cerri is asking those with information about Hodes or any sexual misconduct incidents at Castilleja to call her office at 408-289-1417.

The lawsuit further claims that at least one Castilleja employee continued to recommend Hodes as a tutor and allowed him unsupervised access to the campus, despite him not being an employee. The school allegedly chose not to take any further actions to prevent his abuse of students.

Three former students, identified as Jane Does, have come forward with allegations:

• Jane Doe 1 claims abuse during the 2012-2013 school year while a middle school student.
• Jane Doe 2 alleges abuse both on campus and at Hodes’ home from 2012-2016 while a high school student.
• Jane Doe 3 reports sexual assault from 2007-2011 while a high school student.

The lawsuit argues that the abuse of these students could have been prevented if the school had prioritized student safety over its reputation.

This case underscores the critical importance of rigorous oversight and prompt action in educational institutions to protect vulnerable students. It highlights the need for schools to thoroughly investigate and report any suspicions of inappropriate behavior, prioritizing student safety above all else.

The lawsuit also raises questions about the responsibility of schools in vetting and monitoring non-employees who have access to students, as well as the potential long-term consequences of failing to address early warning signs of predatory behavior.

In 1997, Hodes was allegedly removed from Palo Alto High School’s campus due to sexual abuse of a student. In August 2020, he was arrested on a warrant for nine felony counts of lewd acts with a minor aged 14 or 15. Since then, he has been charged with 55 counts of lewd and lascivious acts with children, and a total of 17 girls have come forward to share their experiences.

More on this lawsuit:

Lawsuit: Former students allege Castilleja School failed to protect them from abusive tutor Palo Alto Girls’ School Sued for Covering Up Sexual Abuse by Math Tutor Castilleja sued over sexual abuse claims

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. The lawsuit states that the parents of the autistic child had been using Trumpet Behavioral Health’s services since 2017. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the therapy sessions transitioned to a home-based format. The alleged abuse occurred in March 2024, perpetrated by therapist Alejandro Nunez during one of these home sessions. According to the legal filing, the abuse came to light when a plumber and his assistant witnessed Nunez inappropriately touching the child. After being informed, the child’s father set up a laptop to record the remainder of the therapy session, which allegedly captured three instances of inappropriate touching. Attorney Mark Boskovich, representing the family, emphasized the responsibility of companies providing in-home counseling services to children with intellectual disabilities. He stated, “Any company that provides in-home counseling services to children has an obligation to monitor that therapist during counseling sessions given that these children have intellectual disabilities that make them vulnerable to sexual abuse”. The lawsuit alleges that Trumpet Behavioral Health and BlueSprig failed in their duty to properly supervise Nunez, leaving him unsupervised with a vulnerable child. Following the discovery of the alleged abuse, San Jose Police were called to the scene. After reviewing the video evidence, Nunez was arrested. Alarmingly, this is not the first such incident associated with Trumpet Behavioral Health. The lawsuit mentions a prior case in Modesto, California, where another Trumpet behavioral therapist was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting an intellectually disabled minor during a counseling session. This case highlights a broader, deeply concerning issue: the increased vulnerability of individuals with autism and other disabilities to physical and sexual abuse. Statistics from the Federal Bureau of Justice paint a stark picture:

• People with disabilities are at least 2.5 times more likely to be victims of violent crimes compared to the general population.
• Unpublished Justice Department statistics, as reported by National Public Radio, suggest that individuals with intellectual disabilities are seven times more likely to experience sexual assault than their non-disabled peers.

These alarming figures underscore the critical importance of robust safeguards and vigilant supervision in care settings for individuals with disabilities. This lawsuit serves as a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by individuals with autism and other intellectual disabilities. It raises important questions about the responsibility of care providers to ensure the safety of their clients, especially in home-based settings. As the legal process unfolds, it may lead to broader discussions about improving protection measures for vulnerable individuals receiving therapeutic services.

More on this lawsuit at:

Parent sues behavioral health organization, alleging negligence allowing sexual abuse of minor in San Jose BlueSprig Faces Negligence Lawsuit Over Child Sexual Assault Case

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.”

Two other victims, identified as Doe 2 and Doe 3, alleged they were sexually assaulted by Burgos during the 2000-2001 school year under the pretense of “body fat tests.” Both men will receive $750,000 each as part of the settlement (Marin County Superior Court, Case No. CIV2204358).

“Thank you for all you have done for me, I will appreciate it for the rest of my life. You both put on an amazing trial and I know doing so required not only tremendous skill, but most of all, intense preparation and hard work. Holding those accountable who were responsible for my abuse has both empowered me and helped me heal.” A.H.

Burgos’ abuse often involved taking students into private settings under false pretenses, such as conducting body fat tests or fitness evaluations. Instead of performing legitimate tests in public areas, Burgos would isolate students in his office, have them lie on a massage table, remove their clothing, and then sexually assault them.

“The district’s failure to protect these students is indefensible,” said attorney Robert Allard. “This case serves as a stark reminder that safeguarding students must always take precedence over protecting teachers or coaches.”

The lawsuits also highlight the devastating and long-lasting effects of sexual abuse on survivors. Many victims testified about years of trauma, including struggles with substance abuse, damaged relationships, and feelings of shame and low self-esteem. “These men have endured life-altering pain,” Boskovich said. “Some contemplated suicide; others turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with their suffering.”

Normandie Burgos was finally brought to justice in 2019 when he was criminally convicted of 60 counts of sexual abuse involving multiple victims. He is currently serving a 255-year prison sentence.

This settlement underscores systemic failures within the school district to address early warning signs about Burgos’ behavior and prevent further harm to students. It also serves as a call for stronger protections and accountability measures in schools statewide to ensure student safety.

Butte County — October 10, 2024 — A lawsuit was filed late yesterday (Butte County Superior Court) against the Gridley Unified School District on behalf of a former middle school student who was sexually abused by his teacher, Michelle Solis, at Sycamore Junior High School during the 2020-2021 academic year. Solis confessed to the sexual activity with the eighth-grade male student and in June of this year was sentenced to four years in state prison.

The lawsuit filed by the San Jose law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard along with the Carrillo Law Firm from South Pasadena alleges that the school district failed to supervise Solis and to protect the student, named as John Doe in the lawsuit, from predators like Solis.

According to the lawsuit, Solis engaged in numerous red flag behaviors, which usually precede sexual abuse. Those behaviors, according to the lawsuit, included Solis:

• Spending time alone with male students. • Communicating with them outside school hours. • Sending explicit sexual text messages. • Providing nude photographs of herself. • Isolating students in her classroom behind closed or locked doors during school hours.

Throughout the school year, the lawsuit states that Solis gave John Doe special attention, often inviting him to remain in her classroom after school under the pretense of assisting with homework. She allegedly arranged for a District yard duty supervisor to issue passes that allowed him to be alone with her during recess and lunch. During this time, she sent him explicit photographs. Evidence presented in the criminal trial revealed that she sent the boy four explicit photos and had sexual intercourse with him in her classroom on the day of his graduation.

On the day of Doe’s eighth-grade graduation in 2021, Solis, more than 30-years older, isolated him in her classroom and engaged in sexual intercourse with him behind a locked door. The lawsuit alleges that Solis had been sending inappropriate messages and photographs to other students for several years prior to these incidents.

“The digital revolution has allowed predators to gain access to children like never before,” attorney Mark Boskovich said. “The internet is now one of the most popular ways for molesters to groom potential victims.”

Solis initiated contact by “friending” the boy on Instagram and began messaging him weeks before his graduation.

Anyone with information about Solis or any sexual misconduct incidents at Gridley school is asked to call attorney Boskovich at (408) 289-1417. For those who speak Spanish, call the Carrillo Law Firm at (626) 799-9375.

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News Media stories on the Gridley – Michelle Solis lawsuit sexual abuse case:

California school failed to stop teacher from ‘grooming’ 14-year-old she had sex with, suit says Lawsuit claims Gridley Unified ignored signs of teacher sexually grooming eighth grader Gridley Unified School District sex abuse lawsuit Student Sues After Teacher Rapes Him in Classroom on Graduation Day Calif. teacher, 46, groomed teen student under guise of tutoring before having sex with him on graduation day, new suit alleges Boy, 14, says he’s traumatized after female teacher, 46, locked him in her classroom and raped him

The settlement with the Berryessa Union School District was announced Tuesday by the San Jose-based law firm Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, which secured the payout on behalf of three students. Two of them testified in the prosecution of Ronald Dean Gardner, who was sentenced in December to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a total of four students.

Gardner taught at the school more than two decades ago and was plagued by allegations of inappropriate conduct with students. He was allowed to resign after a police investigation at the time failed to yield any criminal charges against him. In 2021, students came forward again with abuse allegations after Assembly Bill 218, which was in effect from 2020 to 2022, granted a one-time extension of the statute of limitations.

The lawsuit alleged that the district and school officials allowed Gardner to continue teaching and supervising students for years in the face of misconduct claims. The plaintiffs also contended the district kept him employed with an emergency teaching credential that was renewed each year, and failed to give him the additional supervision required for someone in those circumstances.

“How does somebody remain a teacher for that long, year after year after year? It’s almost as if they were bending over backwards to keep him,” plaintiff’s attorney Lauren Cerri said. “He was reprimanded but they still allowed him to stay instead of hiring a credentialed teacher.”

“They could have gotten rid of him for any reason, but instead they chose to keep him despite the complaints, despite the red flags,” Cerri added, referring to the district’s wide authority to terminate Gardner because of his non-tenured status. “And after the complaints, you would think they would have eyes all over him.”

One of the victims who sued, referred to in the lawsuit as John Doe 1, said “this experience has been extremely difficult, forced me to relive my trauma and taken years of my life away.”

“The compensation I’ve received, in my opinion, is a moot point. There is no amount of money that will make up for abuse I endured and how that changed the trajectory of my life,” he said in a statement provided by the law firm. “If I’ve learned anything it’s that this is yet another example of our governmental institutions failing to protect kids and more evidence of our justice system skewed against victims.”

Another plaintiff, named John Doe 3 in the lawsuit, said in a statement: “After over two decades of suffering in silence, I feel like I’ve reached a level of vindication. Although I have a lot of work left ahead in order to heal, I feel like I have been given back the control I lost as a young child.”

Gardner was hired at Sierramont in 1996; he taught science and also coached the track team and advised the chess club at the school.

When Gardner was arrested in April 2021, San Jose police cited a 2003 police report in which a student alerted the school to being the subject of inappropriate touching and sexually explicit and aggressive language from Gardner. The recently settled lawsuit offered corroborating details, stating that Gardner was once reprimanded after a parent complained about him making sexual innuendos to students and contends a teacher later claimed to have witnessed him kiss a student on the cheek.

No charges resulted from the 2003 investigation, and Gardner resigned from the school soon after. He returned to police suspicion in February 2021 when one of the reported victims contacted the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office to report his past abuse, and the case was transferred to San Jose police. As the investigation continued and after Gardner was initially criminally charged, more people came forward with similar allegations.

In the lawsuit, John Doe 1 provided a particularly troubling anecdote about Gardner, claiming that the teacher was nearly caught while engaging in a sex act with him. He described how a janitor was about to enter Gardner’s classroom after school, and that Gardner “scrambled to pull up his pants” before the janitor walked in.

Doe claimed in the suit that the janitor saw Doe and Gardner alone in the classroom, but did not report the encounter. The result, Doe alleged, was that Gardner started blocking his door with a couch and posted a note warning people not to open the door or risk one of his classroom lizards or birds getting out.

Click for a copy of the lawsuit

The lawsuit states that the victim, referred to as Jane Doe, was a freshman at Leigh High in the 2002-2003 school year. Thomas allegedly began grooming her for sexual advances and assaulting her multiple times on school grounds, including in his portable classroom and a storage room in the boys’ locker room. The lawsuit claims that Thomas’s wife Sarah, who was the Dean of Leigh High at the time, discovered the victim with Thomas in his classroom after they had been having sex.

In spring 2003, the lawsuit alleges that Thomas forced Jane Doe to have an abortion after he had impregnated her. After the pregnancy, Jane Doe reportedly told Sarah Thomas about the abuse, but the lawsuit claims Sarah blamed the victim and did not report the abuse to authorities or take action to protect the student.

The lawsuit states that Shawn Thomas continued to sexually assault the victim on school grounds even after the pregnancy. “Leigh High School had every opportunity to prevent the abuse of my client,” said attorney Lauren Cerri. “There were red flags everywhere that Shawn Thomas was a sexual predator. Even worse, a direct report was made by my client and completely ignored.”

At the time of his arrest, Shawn Thomas was a teacher and coach at Leigh High and Los Gatos High. He was known in the local athletic community, having been a standout athlete at Leigh High and coaching there and elsewhere. His wife Sarah has worked for the school district for over 20 years.

Cerri believes there may be additional victims and is asking anyone with information to contact her office.

According to the lawsuit, the abuse reportedly occurred on the school campus during school hours, in locations like Chan’s office, a locker room, and a stairwell. “School districts have a duty to protect their students and are required to take all reasonable steps to ensure their safety,” attorney Lauren Cerri said.

The SFUSD board of trustees approved the settlement amount following agreements between the insurance carriers, the survivors, and the district. The settlement was reached to spare the survivors from having to retell their stories and to allow them to move forward and start rebuilding their lives.

News Coverage of the Settlement

• San Francisco Unified School District Settles $4.5 Million Lawsuit Over Alleged Sexual Assaults By Former Athletic Director
• SFUSD settles $4.5M lawsuit over alleged sexual assaults by former athletic director
• San Francisco Unified School District Settles $4.5 Million Lawsuit Over Alleged Sexual Assaults By Former Athletic Director

This case highlights concerns about how educational institutions handle allegations of sexual misconduct and the potential risks of allowing accused individuals to quietly resign without facing appropriate consequences.

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) has been sued multiple times for cases of sexual abuse. The lawsuits against SFUSD include instances of alleged abuse dating as far back as 1962 and as recent as 2017.

The Impact of Sexual Abuse on Students

The impact of sexual abuse on high school students can be profound, affecting various aspects of their lives:

1. Academic Performance: Sexual abuse has been linked to higher incidences of depression, anxiety, PTSD, low self-esteem, behavioral disorders, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation, all of which can significantly impact a student’s academic performance.

2. Social Skills: Victims of sexual abuse may experience difficulties in developing and maintaining healthy relationships with peers due to the emotional and psychological effects of the abuse.

3. Emotional Well-being: Students who have been sexually abused may exhibit a range of emotional reactions such as anger, anxiety, depression, and withdrawal behavior, which can affect their overall emotional well-being and ability to cope with daily challenges.

4. Behavioral Issues: Sexual abuse can lead to behavioral changes in students, including poor decision-making, mood swings, and engaging in risky behaviors like substance abuse or early sexual activity.

5. Long-term Consequences: Child sexual abuse can have lasting effects on physical and mental health, leading to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and difficulties in forming trusting relationships with adults.

Understanding the multifaceted impact of sexual abuse on high school students is essential for schools to provide appropriate support and interventions to help these students recover and thrive academically and emotionally.

News Coverage of This Case

• The San Francisco Standard: They were accused of sexual misconduct. SF Schools let them quietly resign.
• San Francisco Chronicle: New sexual assault accusation is made against SFUSD athletic director, who was allowed to quietly resign
• KRON 4: Lawsuit against SFUSD alleges George Washington HS athletic director sexually abused student

SFUSD is facing another sexual abuse lawsuit by the law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard involving former Lowell High School teacher Harlan Edelman. He is accused of sexually abusing a student during the 2004-2005 school year. These lawsuits highlight the district’s alleged failure to properly supervise and address instances of sexual abuse, prompting legal actions by survivors and their legal representatives.

These lawsuits underscore the importance of schools prioritizing student protection over other considerations and implementing robust measures to prevent and address instances of sexual abuse within educational institutions. If you or a loved one have been sexually abused by a teacher, contact our legal team for assistance.

The plaintiff accuses Weible of grooming and sexually abusing her over a decade ago, during the 2010-2011 school year. The lawsuit alleges inappropriate behavior, including hugs, hand massages, students sitting on his lap, and special attention to female students.

Of significant concern is the assertion that despite numerous complaints regarding Weible’s conduct, the school district failed to take appropriate action until 2012. Moreover, the complaint alleges that the district never reported suspicions of child abuse to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), allowing Weible to continue working with minors. Weible, currently serves as Assistant Head of School for a prestigious Bay Area private school.

Passing the Trash

“Passing the trash” refers to the unethical practice of allowing educators who have engaged in misconduct, particularly of a sexual nature, to quietly leave one school district and obtain employment in another district without their history of misconduct being disclosed. This term highlights the irresponsible and potentially dangerous transfer of problematic educators from one educational institution to another, often without proper investigation or consequences for their actions.

“Passing the trash” is a significant problem for several reasons:

1. Failure to Protect Students: It disregards the safety and well-being of students by allowing educators with a history of misconduct to continue working with children, potentially putting them at risk of harm.
2. Perpetuates Abuse: By allowing offenders to move freely between schools without consequences, it enables a cycle of abuse to continue, as perpetrators are not held accountable for their actions.
3. Lack of Accountability: It fosters a culture of impunity where educators may believe they can engage in misconduct without facing consequences, undermining trust in the education system and the ability to safeguard students.
4. Betrayal of Trust: Schools have a duty to provide a safe learning environment, and knowingly hiring educators with a history of misconduct breaches this trust between schools, parents, and students.
5. Reputational Damage: Schools and districts that engage in passing the trash risk damaging their reputation and credibility within the community once instances of misconduct come to light.

Overall, passing the trash not only fails to address the root issue of educator sexual misconduct but also perpetuates a dangerous environment for students and undermines the integrity of the education system.

More on the San Ramon Valley Unified School District Lawsuit

The complaint details instances of Weible buying meals and gifts, providing rides, passing personal notes, and engaging in inappropriate touching. Allegedly, the sexual assault occurred both on campus and during a senior trip to New York City. The lawsuit also claims that the school district did not investigate Weible’s conduct until 2012, despite prior concerns. The lawsuit accuses Weible of sexual assault of a minor and the district of negligent hiring and supervision.

This lawsuit follows previous allegations against the San Ramon Valley Unified School District in 2015 concerning mishandling of sexual harassment and abuse complaints, involving former California High School wrestling coach Kevin Lopez. Lopez pled guilty to charges, with SRVUSD and the New Life Church of Alamo, where he served as a youth group leader, settling with the victim for substantial sums.

The law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard represented the the victim in the Lopez case and also is representing the victim in this case.

The District is also facing scrutiny over another former teacher, Nicholas Moseby. He is set for trial in a separate sexual abuse case, and the district’s handling of Moseby’s case has led to investigations into the role of a current principal during her tenure at San Ramon Valley High.

Click here for the PDF document presented to Congress

Backed by dozens of documents from the US Tennis Association (USTA) showing a callous disregard for the safety of athletes, leading sexual abuse advocates are calling for Congressional intervention and an investigation into USTA leadership.

Nancy Hogshead, Olympic champion, civil rights lawyer, and CEO of Champion Women, a nonprofit providing legal advocacy for girls and women in sports, Child USA CEO Marci Hamilton, and Cerri, Boskovich & Allard attorney Robert Allard submitted the 260-page document to members of Congress. All three leaders agree that the way USTA has handled sex abuse claims is far below industry standards resulting in dangerous conditions for athletes.

The document paints a picture of an organization determined to put its image over the safety of athletes. Based on USTA documents, the organization refused to publish a list of known predator coaches for fear of being sued. As a result, then coach Normandie Burgos sexually abused at least one athlete before he was finally arrested, convicted and sentenced to 250 years in prison.

In other documents, the USTA for years battled efforts by the USOC (now the USOPC) to force the organization to better protect athletes from sexual athletes. In a 2012 email from USTA to then USOC CEO Scott Blackmun, USTA objects and delays mandated changes that it states would increase its exposure to lawsuit liability.

With a leadership team more concerned about its image than protecting athletes, the USTA allows coaches to progressively stretch boundaries, eventually leading to the sexual harassment and assault of primarily women players. Revered Hall of Fame tennis player Pam Shriver is on record stating, “The point has to be made very clearly- these kinds of relationships are not appropriate, and there will be consequences for those who cross the line. This is a widespread problem and we need a broad-spectrum alliance if we are going to address it.” Shortly after speaking out, Shriver was warned by a USTA attorney to “be careful.”

The document states that the USTA has “created a dishonest and unhealthy culture within the sport of tennis. Rather than supporting victims, USTA silences them through threats and intimidation so as not to assume any liability or financial responsibility as an NGB.”

The group is asking Congress to immediately investigate the USTA and to force the necessary changes, including the removal of USTA personnel, to protect athletes across the country.

“USTA is 20 years behind the sex abuse and assault curve,” said Marci Hamilton. “It is long past time to become athlete-centered and a force for athlete well-being. All these cover ups in USTA and elsewhere in the culture keep the poison circulating in their system.”

For more insights into the culture of the USTA, read The Athletic.

The San Jose based law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard filed the case in Sacramento County Superior Court on behalf of the now 19-year-old victim.

The lawsuit states that the school district failed in its legal duty to properly screen and supervise Wilson. Wilson, alleges the lawsuit, engaged in highly visible grooming activities and used his role as the head of the school’s broadcast group to isolate the victim in a locked, windowless, padded sound proof room.

According to the lawsuit, the victim known as Jane Doe was sexually abused as a sixth-grade student by Wilson during the 2014-2015 school year.

“The sexual abuse of Jane Doe all took place on school grounds while both Wilson and Jane Doe were supposed to be supervised by the District,” attorney Lauren Cerri said. “No sixth-grader should have to live with her first sexual experience coming at the hands of a man four times her age.”

According to the Sacramento Police Department, Wilson was arrested in January for 17 counts of Lewd Acts with a Child (Penal Code Section 288(a) and 288(b)) and 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography (Penal Code Section 311.11).

The Cerri, Boskovich & Allard legal team, which includes retired law enforcement professionals, worked with the victim to file a complaint with Sacramento Police. At the same time, Cerri served a California Public Records Act (CPRA) request upon the District asking for complaints against Wilson.

“Upon the CPRA request the school district chose to put Wilson on leave instead of immediately notifying law enforcement and coordinating with them,” Cerri said. “Fortunately, law enforcement recovered digital evidence to substantiate the criminal charges.”

“We know that there are more victims,” Cerri said. “I would encourage former students of Wilson to come forward.”

LAS VEGAS, NV – Dec. 8, 2022 – A civil lawsuit was filed today against Backstreet Boys pop star Nick Carter for the February 2001 rape of a 17-year-old girl.

The crime occurred following a Backstreet Boys concert in Tacoma, Washington.

The lawsuit was filed in Las Vegas because that’s where Carter lives.

“We want entertainers like Carter to know that just because they’re famous they’re not above the law,” said attorney Mark Boskovich of the San Jose-based law firm Cerri, Boskovich & Allard.

The victim, Shay Ruth, is now 39 years old. She is on the autism spectrum and has a mild case of cerebral palsy.

Shay was a virgin when Carter raped her.

“Nick Carter is a monster,” Boskovich said. “The lawsuit alleges that Shay was in the autograph line when Carter invited her to join him on his tour bus and gave her a funny tasting drink that he called VIP Juice. Then Carter took Shay to the bathroom, exposed himself and forced her to perform sexual acts.”

After the assault in the bathroom, the lawsuit states that Carter took Shay to the back of the bus, pushed her onto a bed and raped her.

“I pleaded with him over and over again to stop,” Shay said. “I was so upset that I cried throughout the ordeal. Afterward, he called me a ‘retarded little bitch’ and threatened me, saying no one would believe me and I’d go to jail if I told what happened. He also said he’d turn people against me because he’s Nick Carter and he would wreck my life.”

Shay suffered alone in silence. She is now in therapy, learning how to cope with the pain, confusion and shame Carter caused.

“After my assault, I started cutting myself to hide my pain. I still struggle with self-harm problems and I have self-esteem, trust and self-doubt issues,” Shay said. “I am getting better and I am ready to seek justice. My main reason I’m here today is I want to stop Nick Carter from doing this to somebody else.”

However, Carter has apparently done this before.

“The investigation into Shay’s case led us to other victims, whose stories are remarkably similar – they were all virgins when Carter sexually assaulted them and they were all infected with HPV,” Boskovich said. “I’m hoping other women will come forward and stand with Shay since Nick Carter apparently has a long history of sexual assaults.”

Shay is hoping other women come forward, too, and is especially concerned about how the epidemic of sexual abuse is impacting the developmentally disabled.

“If I don’t speak out on behalf of disabled people, who will,” Shay asked. “I also want my sister survivors to know they are not alone and even though it’s scary to come forward, now is the time for us to stand together. Carter took away my childhood and innocence but he cannot take away my strength and my truth. I am a survivor and always will be.”

Boskovich is encouraging anyone with information on Shay’s case, as well as other women who may have been sexually assaulted by Nick Carter, to call 408-289-1417.

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The sexual abuse lawsuit, CV No. 21CV388845, was filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court by attorneys for San Jose-based Cerri, Boskovich & Allard.

John Doe, 13, was sexually assaulted in early 2020; he will receive $900,000. John Doe 2, 23, was sexually abused in 2008-2009 and will receive $4.2 million.

“John Doe 2 was so ashamed and disgusted by the abuse that he took a cup of scalding hot water and purposely poured it onto his penis in an attempt to genitally mutilate himself,” the lawsuit says.

“John Doe 2’s abuse was so horrific that he’s still suffering from what happened to him when he was a little boy,” attorney Mark Boskovich said. “He can use this settlement to get the help he needs since he continues to suffer from anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.”

Houg was sentenced in November 2021 to 35 years in prison for molesting ten former Blossom Hill students, including Doe 2. In Doe 2’s case, Houg was convicted of three felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child by force, duress, menace or fear.

Parents also accused Houg of verbally abusing students.

“The school district failed to discipline Houg or supervise him more closely after multiple verbal abuse and sexual harassment complaints and this settlement acknowledges that fact,” Boskovich said. “We uncovered evidence of at least eleven complaints that were brought to the school’s attention between 2001 and 2020. This was unprecedented. The school administrators involved in these complaints failed to protect these kids. Had the District documented and investigated the early complaints and properly supervised Houg, many kids would have been spared.”

The cost of not following the law is steep: the Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District recently agreed to pay $3.485 million to a former Los Gatos student who was sexually abused by her track coach; a jury ordered San Jose’s Union School District to pay two abused female students $102.5 million, with the district settling another sexual abuse case involving five men now in their fifties for $7.5 million; and the Tamalpais Union High School District in Marin County paid $10 million to a male student who was abused by his tennis coach.

“One of the reasons there are so many cases involving schools is because pedophiles go where the kids are,” Boskovich said. “It’s imperative schools understand they can’t protect teachers who are hurting kids. My colleagues and I are determined to end this cycle of placing the image and reputation of the school over the safety of children.”

Boskovich is also calling on the school district to “look at the administrators who failed to take action against Houg and make sure they are held accountable for their actions.”

The other plaintiff in the Houg case, John Doe, was abused in January 2020 when he was 10 years old during a dress rehearsal for a school play production.

Houg’s downfall came during the pandemic when he asked two 13-year-old boys to engage in inappropriate conduct during separate videoconferences.

The boys reported Houg and he was arrested in September 2020 by Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies; he was suspended without pay by the school district shortly thereafter.