Posted on 09/24/2025 5:52:42 PM PDT by Morgana
A former high school administrator in California raped a 17-year-old student on campus, impregnated her and then begged her on a wiretapped phone call to abort the child, warning that keeping the baby would “ruin” his and his children’s lives.
That’s the details of a lawsuit filed this week against the shuttered Contra Costa School of Performing Arts and its accused employee.
The civil suit, brought by the student — identified as Jane Doe — and her mother, Janice Doe, in Contra Costa County Superior Court, accuses Gerard Michael Flaherty, 43, of using his position as the school’s climate and culture supervisor to groom the victim for sexual assault during the 2024-2025 school year. It further alleges that school administrators ignored repeated warnings about Flaherty’s inappropriate behavior with students, failing to protect vulnerable teens and allowing a predatory environment to fester.
The assault allegedly occurred February 19, in Flaherty’s office at the Walnut Creek charter school, where he supplied the student with alcohol before forcibly embracing her and engaging in sexual intercourse. During the act, Flaherty reportedly repeated, “This is so bad. This is so bad,” while blaming the teen’s appearance and the way she looked at him for his actions, the lawsuit states.
Two months later, in April, the student discovered she was pregnant.
Flaherty, who had earlier sent her money via Zelle for Plan B emergency contraception, escalated his coercion in a May wiretapped call captured by authorities. There, he “begged (the student) … to have an abortion as she would ‘ruin’ his and his children’s lives if she kept the baby,” according to the court filing.
“This case highlights systemic failures in ensuring student safety and accountability,” said Lauren Cerri, the attorney representing Jane Doe and her mother. “Schools, including this one, need to enact and enforce more robust policies and proactive measures to protect students from abuse.”
The lawsuit paints a picture of a school in denial, claiming administrators dismissed multiple red flags about Flaherty’s conduct despite their legal duty as mandated reporters to investigate and alert authorities.
As early as January, parents raised alarms: One mother reported that Flaherty was “looking at her body inappropriately,” while another flagged rumors of him “having an affair with a student” and allowing teens to vape and drink alcohol in his office.
Executive Director Catherine Foster brushed off the concerns in a meeting, assuring the parent, “That would never happen here,” the suit alleges.
“Despite multiple reports from students, parents and staff about Flaherty’s troubling behavior, the school administration, including Executive Director Catherine Foster,” failed to act or report to law enforcement or Child Protective Services, Cerri said .Flaherty’s alleged grooming tactics included giving the student rides home, messaging her on social media about his personal life and spending time alone with her behind closed doors — behaviors that extended to other students, according to the complaint.
The suit seeks unspecified damages for negligence, sexual assault and emotional distress, arguing the school’s inaction enabled the abuse and compounded the victim’s trauma.
“During the 2024-2025 school year, while Plaintiff was seventeen years old and a student at COCOSPA, Flaherty used his position of trust and authority to gain access to her, groom her for his sexual advances, rape/sexually assault, and impregnate her on school grounds in his office on campus,” the lawsuit states.
Flaherty was arrested by Walnut Creek police and charged with forcible rape of a child over 14, assault with intent to commit a felony and unlawful sexual intercourse. He pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance pending trial.
His next court date for a preliminary hearing is September 24.
Sickening but not surprising given that this took place in Commiefornia.
That is the type of attitude that almost ensures that it can, has and will "happen here".
Adults who work around children should never ever be alone with them to prevent something from happening and to prevent the accusation of something happening.
The Buddy System is your friend.
“the school’s climate and culture supervisor”
In other words a Marxists.
The most shocking thing is that a teacher in an arts school in California is not ghey ghey ghey.
Well, bi...
Flaherty a member of a union?
That could explain the administrations dismissive attitude.
I believe a Michigan mandated reporter has to make a report of such abuse within 24 hours. They might investigate the matter, but the reporting has to be done in 24 hours. No ifs, and, or buts about it.
17 will get you 20
Talk about a #doge target. Exhale and Kwanzaa expert.
Because there are no predatory teachers and school employees in other states? Yeah, that’s some serious bullshit right there💩
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