Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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”.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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.”

Continue reading →

Santa Cruz City Schools Pays $4.5 Million to Settle Sexual Abuse Claims Against Former Educator

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

Santa Cruz City Schools (SCCS) has reached a $4.5 million settlement in a lawsuit filed by the law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard on behalf of two former students who alleged they were sexually abused by Steven Myers, a former SCCS teacher and principal, between 1987 and 1991. Each of the two men, now 49 years old, will receive $2.25 million for the abuse they endured during their middle and high school years.

Steven Myers, who was hired by SCCS in 1981 as principal of Branciforte Junior High School, was also the founder of the “Traveling School Summer Program,” a pilot initiative later integrated into the district’s curriculum. This program targeted students with behavioral and academic challenges, many from unstable home environments. Both plaintiffs, identified in court documents as John Roe 3 and John Roe 4, participated in the program during the late 1980s and early 1990s. They alleged that Myers used his position to create an environment that enabled years of abuse.

The lawsuit revealed disturbing details about Myers’ conduct during the Traveling School program. He reportedly incorporated massages into the curriculum, exclusively targeting boys, often shirtless, and required students to massage him in return. On designated “Body Theme Days,” students were instructed to wear minimal clothing; Myers himself wore a tight Speedo and required boys to do the same. Additionally, Myers allegedly provided drugs to students and invited them to his home for activities such as hot tub sessions. The lack of oversight allowed him to share rooms or beds with students during trips.

Continue reading →

Delphi Academy Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up

Published on: October 22, 2024 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

Lawsuit Claims Inadequate Protection Against Alleged Abuse by Ex-Athletic Director and Coach

Delphi Academy, a private school in Los Angeles, is facing a lawsuit filed by the law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard on behalf of a former student who allegedly suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Randolph Clifford Jackson, the school’s former basketball coach and Athletic Director. The lawsuit, filed on October 18, 2024, in Los Angeles County, alleges a disturbing pattern of abuse and institutional negligence.

The lawsuit claims that John Doe, the former student, was repeatedly sexually molested by Jackson during the 2011-2012 school year. Jackson allegedly exploited his position to isolate Doe, providing car rides and assigning him as an athletic department assistant. The abuse occurred on school grounds, including the Athletics office, sports shed, and boys’ restroom.

Continue reading →

Lawsuit Filed Against Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Alleging Failure to Supervise Teacher

Published on: October 22, 2024 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

Lawsuit alleges that the District failed to supervise a John Glenn teacher after it was alerted to inappropriate red-flag behavior

The law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard has filed a lawsuit against the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The lawsuit alleges that the district failed to adequately supervise a John Glenn High School teacher, which led to the alleged sexual assault of a student.

The plaintiff, referred to as Jane Doe, claims that the teacher, Raymond Niemann, exploited his position of authority to groom her for sexual advances beginning in 2008. The alleged abuse continued for nearly two years.

Continue reading →

Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Filed Against Gridley Unified School District

Published on: October 15, 2024 | By Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP

District failed to protect eighth-grade student from abuse by former teacher Michelle Solis

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.

Continue reading →