Minors v. Los Angeles Unified School District, Mark H. Berndt, et al.
Published: Mar. 30, 2013 | Result Date: Mar. 12, 2013 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Settlement – $30,000,000
Court
L.A. Superior Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Gregory J. Owen
(Owen, Patterson & Owen)
Raymond P. Boucher
(Boucher LLP)
Thomas A. Cifarelli
(The Cifarelli Law Firm)
Alan I. Schimmel
(Schimmel & Parks APLC)
Philip Michels
(Michels & Lew)
Matthew S. McNicholas
(McNicholas & McNicholas LLP)
Defendant
Facts
Several former Miramonte Elementary School students and parents of students sued ex-teacher, Mark Berndt, who was charged with molesting 23 children, and the Los Angeles Unified School District for the sexual abuse the victims suffered at the hands of their teacher. Berndt allegedly blindfolded the children, placed cockroaches on some of their faces and posed in photos with them. The incidents took place inside the classroom. Berndt had also been charged with committing lewd acts with children between the ages of 6 to 10. The authorities began investigating Berndt when a film processor gave the authorities about 40 photographs that depicted the blindfolded children in the classroom. Some of the pictures showed students with cookies with a clear white liquid on top. A spoon and container found in trash inside Berndt's classroom tested positive for semen. The children told the investigating officers that Berndt had told them that the whole incident was a "game" and that the substance they ingested was "sugar." Berndt has worked for more than three decades at the elementary school.
Result
The School District agreed to a $30 million settlement. Each of the alleged victims would receive about $470,000 under the deal. This resolved about one-half of the pending cases against LAUSD.
Other Information
MEDIATORS: Cruz Reynoso, retired justice; Peter Lichtman, retired judge.
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