SCRANTON – A former Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County (CTC) student claims the school failed to act in a timely manner regarding a teacher who allegedly made unwanted sexual advances to students.
John Doe C.D. filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County against CTC and the Scranton School District citing Title IX and alleging negligent infliction of emotional distress. The defendant removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on Jan. 16.
According to the complaint, C.D. was enrolled as a student at both defendant schools during the 2016-2017 school year. C.D. alleges that his CTC automotive technology class instructor, Richard Humphrey, made unwanted sexual advances toward him and other male students, including groping and caressing their genital areas.
C.D. claims despite reports to school officials, nothing was done until Humphrey's suspension and arrest in May of 2017. The suit states Humphrey was charged with 15 criminal counts and pleaded guilty to 11 counts of indecent assault and one count of corruption of minors in January 2018.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to take timely action and failed to notify authorities about any inappropriate contact with minor students.
C.D. seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000, interest and all other just relief. He is represented by Michael Pisanchyn Jr. and Thomas Carroll Jr. of The Pisanchyn Law Firm in Scranton.
Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County case number 19-cv-3029