Former Student Recovers $ 6 Million Settlement In California State Action Against School District And Female Teacher Who Sexually Abused Him
On Feb. 4, 2014, John BB Doe filed an action against Redlands Unified School District, Laura Whitehurst, and others in the California Superior Court for Riverside County. Doe alleged that while he was a student at the school district, he engaged in a sexual relationship with Whitehurst, who was a teacher and employee of the district. Doe, who was a minor at the time, alleged that Whitehurst had a history of improper sexual activity with other minor students. Doe maintained that a result of Whitehurst and the District's negligence and intentional wrongdoing, he suffered emotional and psychological damage. Through the complaint, Doe asserted claims of negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual battery, assault, sexual harassment, and gender violence. The action was assigned to Judge Sunshine Sykes.
On Aug. 16, 2016, prior to trial, the parties reached a settlement of $ 6,000,000.00. According to information provided by plaintiff's counsel, the settlement also included a letter of apology from Whitehurst. Plaintiff was represented by John C. Manly and Vince W. Finaldi of Manly, Stewart & Finaldi APC . Defendants were represented by Stephen Harber and Joseph Cheung of McCune & Harber.
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