September 6, 2023 Lawsuit: Ninth-grade teacher groomed and sexually assaulted female students in 1974
CULVER CITY, Calif. — The Culver City Unified School District will go to trial October 23 in a lawsuit filed by a former student who alleges she and at least one other student were systematically groomed and sexually assaulted by a ninth-grade social studies teacher in 1974.
According to the lawsuit, the district failed to protect the 14-year-old Culver City Junior High School student from ninth-grade teacher Michael McHatton. McHatton sexually assaulted the Plaintiff after months of grooming her during the 1974-1975 school year. McHatton was openly affectionate with the student, calling her by pet names and inappropriately touching her.
In addition, McHatton would arrange for the student to visit his classroom and private office during lunch and after school and would give her gifts. He invited the girl to his boat, falsely claiming that other students would be there, where he sexually assaulted her, according to the lawsuit. The victim dropped out of school after the assault and has suffered lasting emotional damages.
“It’s time to shine a light on this case so that this victim can finally get justice and so that students, former students, parents, and community members can know exactly what happened,” said attorney Susan Ulrich of the Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel law firm, who is representing the plaintiff along with firm partner Kevin Loew. “This case is tragic, and the assault of the Plaintiff was preventable. I am so proud of the Plaintiff and other witnesses in this case who were brave enough to come forward and tell their stories. Our Plaintiff and all victims of childhood sexual assault deserve justice, and we stand with them in their fight for accountability.”
The case is Jane Doe v. Culver City Unified School District, No. 21STCV19869, in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
If you or anyone you know has any information concerning Michael McHatton or the sexual assaults at Culver City schools, please contact attorney Susan Ulrich at 424-217-2421 or sulrich@waterskraus.com.
About Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel
Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel is a national plaintiffs’ law firm devoted to helping victims of sexual abuse, as well as personal injury and wrongful death cases. Based in Dallas, with offices in Los Angeles and by appointment in Moline, Illinois, Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel has represented families from all fifty states and many foreign countries, as well as foreign governments. For more information, visit https://waterskraus.com/.
