Anaheim Union High School District Settles Kennedy High School Sex Abuse Case for $7.9 Million
In settling a sex abuse lawsuit filed in February, the Anaheim Union High School District has agreed to pay $7.9 million to five former John F. Kennedy High School girls water polo athletes. The suit alleged that the district concealed complaints of sexual abuse, molestation and harassment against a former coach from parents, students, and law enforcement.
Joshua Owens, who coached water polo and swim at Kennedy High School in La Palma, pleaded guilty last year to committing sex crimes against three underage girls between 2014 and 2016.
The Register first reported on the settlement won by Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, a powerhouse Irvine firm that successfully represented victims of former Olympics women’s gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, a case that ended in a $500 million settlement with Michigan State University.
“In agreeing to this settlement, the district made a prudent fiscal decision to end what would have been a costly, protracted public legal battle with the plaintiff’s attorneys,” reads an AUHSD statement provided to the Weekly. “We appreciate that this settlement agreement can bring closure to this unfortunate incident for both the school district and the victims.
Read more: https://ocweekly.com/auhsd-settles-kennedy-high-school-sex-abuse-case-for-7-9-million/
