A Brooklyn jury has slapped New York City with a first of its kind $18 million verdict under the state’s landmark Child Victims Act, awarding the massive amount to a man who was sexually abused by his elementary school music teacher more than 50 years ago.
The June 11 decision in Brooklyn Supreme Court found the city Department of Education “acted recklessly” regarding the sexual abuse of the victim, Susan Edelman reported on her Substack — marking the first time a jury has delivered a verdict against NYC under the Child Victims Act.
The victim, now 66, claimed he was repeatedly abused by substitute teacher John Clark at PS 15 in Red Hook between 1968 and 1971, often forced to sit on the then 28-year-old educator’s lap while the perv had an erection, he said in court papers.
The abuse often unfolded while students watched a movie in the auditorium, the victim, identified only as AP, alleged.
The accuser also claimed Clark — who died in 2017 and had multiple victims — would “fondle” his genitals over the child’s clothes.
School officials were aware of Clark’s abuse after a mother complained to then-PS 15 Principal Edwin Gardner.
Gardner transferred the boy from Clark’s class and placed Clark under supervision but did not report the incident to the district superintendent, Anthony Ferrerio, The New York Times reported at the time. Gardner faced no disciplinary action for his handling of the complaint.
Clark was fired and arrested on an assault charge only after another mother went to the police. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years probation.
The 2019 Child Victims Act created a legal window that allowed victims of sex abuse to sue until they were 55 years old. Before the law victims had only until age 23 to bring a civil claim.
The victim’s lawyers were not available to comment.
The city Law Department said it would review the verdict.