Southern California jury delivers $135M verdict in molestation case involving middle school teacher

Published October 11, 2023 1:31 PM

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A jury has delivered a $135 million verdict in a molestation case involving a middle school teacher, determining that negligence by a Southern California school district allowed the abuse of two students during the 1990s. Jurors in Riverside County Superior Court decided Tuesday that the Moreno Valley Unified School District is 90% responsible for the damages, while former teacher Thomas Lee West is 10% responsible. District officials didn’t immediately respond to an email Wednesday seeking comment on the verdict. West was convicted during a criminal trial and is currently serving a 52 years to life sentence.

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