This is so bad': Walnut Creek performing art school sued over alleged rapist employee

"A girl who was allegedly raped by the climate and culture supervisor at the Contra Costa School of the Performing Arts has filed a suit accusing administrators there of failing to act as employees and parents attempted to report his grooming behaviors. The suit, filed in superior court by Jane Doe and her family, names the now-defunct Walnut Creek charter school and the former employee, Gerard Flaherty, as defendants. It alleges 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 evidence against him includes a call recorded by police in which Flaherty allegedly attempted to convince Doe to get an abortion after she told him she was pregnant. I would go to jail if that happened, Flaherty allegedly told her during the April 30 call, after Doe said she wanted to keep the baby. They, they, they'll do a DNA test I just, it would, it would ruin so many lives."

"The suit gives a countdown to the alleged rape, discussing complaints allegedly made by parents and employees that Flaherty had been giving special attention to minor female students, escorting minor female students to their cars during instructional hours, and entering rooms unannounced when female students were changing clothes. There were also rumors that Flaherty was providing alcohol to students, according to the suit."

Jane Doe and her family filed a superior court suit naming the now-defunct Contra Costa School of the Performing Arts and former supervisor Gerard Flaherty. The complaint alleges Flaherty used his position of trust to groom, sexually assault and impregnate a minor in his campus office. Parents and staff reportedly raised concerns about inappropriate staring, special attention to minor female students, escorting students to cars during school hours, entering changing rooms unannounced, and rumors of providing alcohol. Flaherty was arrested on rape, unlawful sexual intercourse and assault charges, then released by a judge; police recorded an alleged call urging an abortion.

Read at www.mercurynews.com