arrow left
arrow right
  • St v. Brewster Central School DistrictTorts - Child Victims Act document preview
  • St v. Brewster Central School DistrictTorts - Child Victims Act document preview
  • St v. Brewster Central School DistrictTorts - Child Victims Act document preview
  • St v. Brewster Central School DistrictTorts - Child Victims Act document preview
  • St v. Brewster Central School DistrictTorts - Child Victims Act document preview
  • St v. Brewster Central School DistrictTorts - Child Victims Act document preview
  • St v. Brewster Central School DistrictTorts - Child Victims Act document preview
  • St v. Brewster Central School DistrictTorts - Child Victims Act document preview
						
                                

Preview

FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF PUTNAM X T.S., Date Index No. Purchased: Plaintiff, Index No.: -against- Plaintiff designates PUTNAM BREWSTER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, County as the place of trial. Defendant. The basis of venue is X Defendant’s residence. SUMMONS The Above-Named Defendant: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Dated: New York, New York May 25, 2021 1 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 TO: BREWSTER CENTRAL DISTRICT 30 Farm to Market Road Brewster, New York 10509 2 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF PUTNAM X T.S., Date Filed: Index No.: Plaintiff, -against- VERIFIED COMPLAINT BREWSTER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, Defendant. X Plaintiff, T.S., by his attorneys, Slater Slater Schulman LLP, brings this action against: BREWSTER CENTRAL DISTRICT (“District”); and alleges, on personal knowledge as to himself and on information and belief as to all other matters, as follows: JURISDICTION AND VENUE 1. This action is brought pursuant to the Child Victims Act (“CVA”). See CPLR § 214-g and 22 NYCRR 202.72; as it alleges physical, psychological and emotional injuries/damages suffered as a result of conduct against an infant that constitutes one or more sexual offenses as defined in Article 130 of the New York Penal Law, including without limitation, conduct constituting rape (consisting of sexual intercourse) (N.Y. Penal Law §§ 130.25 - 130.35); criminal sexual act (consisting of oral or anal sexual conduct) (N.Y. Penal Law §§ 130.40- 130.53), and/or sexual abuse (consisting of sexual contact) (N.Y. Penal Law §§ 130.55 - 130.77). 2. Whenever reference is made to any defendant entity, such reference includes that entity, its parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, and successors. In addition, whenever reference is made to any act, deed, or transaction of any entity, the allegation means that the entity engaged in the act, deed, or transaction by or through its officers, directors, agents, 3 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 employees, or representatives while they were actively engaged in the management, direction, control, or transaction of the entity’s business affairs. 3. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant pursuant to CPLR 301 and 302, in that Defendant resides in New York and/or conducts or, at relevant times conducted, activities in the State of New York that give rise to the claims asserted herein. 4. This Court has jurisdiction over this action because the amount of damages Plaintiff seeks exceeds the jurisdictional limits of all lower courts which would otherwise have jurisdiction. 5. Venue for this action is proper in the County of Putnam pursuant to CPLR § 503 in that Defendant resides in this County and all the events and/or omissions giving rise to the claims asserted herein occurred here. PARTIES 6. Plaintiff, T.S., (“Plaintiff”) is a sixty-eight (68) year old individual residing in Putnam County, New York. Plaintiff experienced sexual abuse in or around the year 1960 when Plaintiff was approximately eight (8) years old. 7. At all times herein, District maintains its principal place of business at 30 Farm to Market Road, Brewster, New York 10509. 8. At all times herein, the District is responsible for managing and directing the public schools within its district and/or jurisdiction. 9. At all times herein, Garden Street School (“School”) maintained its principal place of business at 20 Garden Street, Brewster, New York, 10509. 10. At all times herein, the School was a public school operating within the jurisdiction of the Defendant District. 4 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 11. At all times material to the Complaint, the District, through its agents, servants, and/or employees had control over those activities involving children. 12. At all times material to the Complaint, the District had the power to employ individuals working with and/or alongside children within the District, including but not limited to those at the School. 13. At all times material to the Complaint, School was a public educational institution within New York State. 14. At all times material to the Complaint, School was a public educational institution operating under the control of the Defendant District. 15. At all times material to the Complaint, School was a public educational institution operating for the benefit of the Defendant District. 16. At all times material to the Complaint, Defendant District owned, managed, operated, controlled, staffed, hired/fired employees of, and/or maintained School. 17. Upon information and belied, School closed in 1998. 18. At all times material to the Complaint, Ms. Schoenfeld (“Abuser”) was an agent, servant, and/or employee of District. 19. At all times material to the Complaint, Abuser was an agent, servant, and/or employee of School. 20. At all times material to the Complaint, Abuser was a teacher at School. 21. At all times material to the Complaint, while an agent, servant and/or employee of the Defendant District and School, Abuser remained under the control and supervision of District and School. 5 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 22. District and School placed Defendant Abuser in positions where Abuser had immediate access to children. UNDERLYING FACTS AND ALLEGATIONS 23. In or around the year of 1960, when the then infant Plaintiff was approximately eight (8) years old, Plaintiff attended School, a public school under the authority of Defendant District. 24. The Plaintiff was born in July of 1952. 25. At all times herein, Abuser was an adult. 26. During and through the aforementioned activities, Plaintiff, as a minor and vulnerable child, was dependent on the District, School and Abuser. 27. During and through these activities, Defendant had custody of Plaintiff and accepted the entrustment of the then infant Plaintiff. 28. During and through these activities, Defendant had responsibility of, and authority over, the then infant Plaintiff. 29. Defendant assumed duties to protect the then infant Plaintiff from harms arising under the doctrine of in loco parentis. 30. Through Abuser’s position at, within, or for the School and/or District, Abuser was put in direct contact with Plaintiff, a student in the District. It was under these circumstances that Plaintiff came to be under the direction, contact, and control of Abuser, who used his position of authority and trust over Plaintiff to manipulate, sexually abuse and sexually harass the then infant Plaintiff. 31. On numerous occasions, in or about the year of 1960, while Plaintiff was a minor, Abuser, while acting as a teacher, counselor, trustee, director, officer, employee, agent, servant 6 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 and/or volunteer of Defendant herein, sexually assaulted, sexually abused and/or had sexual contact with Plaintiff in violation of the laws of the State of New York, including New York’s Penal Law Article 130. 32. Specifically, the abuse included, but was not limited to, mutual genital fondling, touching and/or groping and forcing then infant Plaintiff to perform oral sex on Abuser. 33. The aforementioned sexual abuse occurred at the School. 34. Plaintiff’s relationship to the School, as a vulnerable child and participant in School activities, was one in which Plaintiff was subject to the School’s ongoing influence. 35. At all times material hereto, Abuser was under the direct supervision, employ and/or control of the District. 36. At all times material hereto, Abuser was under the direct supervision, employ and/or control of the School. 37. The School knew and/or reasonably should have known, and/or knowingly condoned, and/or covered up, the inappropriate and unlawful sexual activities of Abuser who sexually abused Plaintiff. 38. The District knew and/or reasonably should have known, and/or knowingly condoned, and/or covered up, the inappropriate and unlawful sexual activities of Abuser who sexually abused Plaintiff. 39. The School negligently or recklessly believed that Abuser was fit to work with children and/or that any previous problems he had were fixed and cured; that Abuser would not sexually molest children; and that Abuser would not injure children. 7 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 40. The District negligently or recklessly believed that Abuser was fit to work with children and/or that any previous problems he had were fixed and cured; that Abuser would not sexually molest children; and that Abuser would not injure children. 41. The School had the responsibility to supervise and/or direct its employees and/or agents serving at the School, and specifically, had a duty not to aid individuals such as Abuser, by assigning, maintaining and/or appointing Abuser to a position with access to minors. 42. The District had the responsibility to supervise and/or direct its employees and/or agents serving at the School, and specifically, had a duty not to aid individuals such as Abuser, by assigning, maintaining and/or appointing Abuser to a position with access to minors. 43. By holding Abuser out as safe to work with children, and by undertaking the custody, supervision of, and/or care of the minor Plaintiff, School entered into a fiduciary relationship with the minor Plaintiff. As a result of Plaintiff being a minor, and by the School’s undertaking the care and guidance of the vulnerable minor Plaintiff, the School held a position of empowerment over Plaintiff. 44. By holding Abuser out as safe to work with children, and by undertaking the custody, supervision of, and/or care of the minor Plaintiff, District entered into a fiduciary relationship with the minor Plaintiff. As a result of Plaintiff being a minor, and by District’s undertaking the care and guidance of the vulnerable minor Plaintiff, District held a position of empowerment over Plaintiff. 45. School, by holding itself out as being able to provide a safe environment for children, solicited and/or accepted this position of empowerment. This empowerment prevented the then minor Plaintiff from effectively protecting himself. School thus entered into a fiduciary relationship with Plaintiff. 8 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 46. District, by holding itself out as being able to provide a safe environment for children, solicited and/or accepted this position of empowerment. This empowerment prevented the then minor Plaintiff from effectively protecting himself. The District thus entered into a fiduciary relationship with Plaintiff. 47. School had a special relationship with Plaintiff. 48. District had a special relationship with Plaintiff. 49. School owed Plaintiff a duty of reasonable care because School had knowledge about the risk that Abuser posed to Plaintiff, the risk of abuse in general in its programs, and/or the risks that its facilities posed to minor children. 50. District owed Plaintiff a duty of reasonable care because District had knowledge about the risk that Abuser posed to Plaintiff, the risk of abuse in general in its programs, and/or the risks that its facilities posed to minor children. 51. School and District owed Plaintiff a duty of reasonable care because they solicited youth and parent(s) and/or guardian(s) for participation in their youth programs; encouraged youth and parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to have the youth participate in their programs; undertook custody of minor children, including Plaintiff; promoted their facilities and programs as being safe for children; held their agents, including Abuser, out as safe to work with children; encouraged parents and/or guardians and children to spend time with their agents; and/or encouraged their agents, including Abuser, to spend time with, interact with, and recruit children. 52. School owed Plaintiff a duty to protect Plaintiff from harm because School’s actions created a foreseeable risk of harm to Plaintiff. 53. District owed Plaintiff a duty to protect Plaintiff from harm because District’s actions created a foreseeable risk of harm to Plaintiff. 9 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 54. At all times relevant and material hereto, Defendant, and/or Defendant’s agents or employees, were responsible and/or liable for each other’s negligent actions and/or omissions, via including but not limited to respondeat superior. However, Plaintiff does not allege that the doctrine of respondeat superior applies directly to intentional acts of sexual assault or sexual abuse alleged of the individual perpetrator(s) identified in this complaint. 55. School’s breach of its duties include, but are not limited to: failure to have sufficient policies and procedures to prevent child sexual abuse, failure to properly implement the policies and procedures to prevent child sexual abuse, failure to take reasonable measures to make sure that the policies and procedures to prevent child sexual abuse were working, failure to adequately inform families and children of the risks of child sexual abuse, failure to investigate risks of child sexual abuse, failure to properly train the workers at institutions and programs within the School, geographical confines, failure to protect children in their programs from child sexual abuse, failure to adhere to the applicable standard of care for child safety, failure to investigate the amount and type of information necessary to represent the institutions, programs, leaders and people as safe, failure to train their employees properly to identify signs of child molestation by fellow employees, failure by relying on mental health professionals, and/or failure by relying on people who claimed that they could treat child molesters. 56. District’s breach of its duties include, but are not limited to: failure to have sufficient policies and procedures to prevent child sexual abuse, failure to properly implement the policies and procedures to prevent child sexual abuse, failure to take reasonable measures to make sure that the policies and procedures to prevent child sexual abuse were working, failure to adequately inform families and children of the risks of child sexual abuse, failure to investigate risks of child sexual abuse, failure to properly train the workers at institutions and programs within 10 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 the District, geographical confines, failure to protect children in their programs from child sexual abuse, failure to adhere to the applicable standard of care for child safety, failure to investigate the amount and type of information necessary to represent the institutions, programs, leaders and people as safe, failure to train their employees properly to identify signs of child molestation by fellow employees, failure by relying on mental health professionals, and/or failure by relying on people who claimed that they could treat child molesters. 57. School also breached its duties to Plaintiff by failing to warn Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s family of the risk that Abuser posed and the risks of child sexual abuse by its employees and/or agents. School also failed to warn Plaintiff about any of the knowledge that it had about child sexual abuse. 58. District also breached its duties to Plaintiff by failing to warn Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s family of the risk that Abuser posed and the risks of child sexual abuse by its employees and/or agents. District also failed to warn Plaintiff about any of the knowledge that it had about child sexual abuse. 59. School also violated a legal duty by failing to report known and/or suspected abuse of children by Abuser and/or its other agents to the police and law enforcement. 60. District also violated a legal duty by failing to report known and/or suspected abuse of children by Abuser and/or their other agents to the police and law enforcement. 61. By employing Abuser at School, and other facilities under its supervision, District, through its agents, affirmatively represented to minor children and their families that Abuser did not pose a threat to children, did not have a history of molesting children, that the District did not know that Abuser had a history of molesting children, and that District did not know that Abuser 11 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 was a danger to children. Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s family were induced to rely on these affirmations and did rely on them. 62. By employing Abuser at School, School through its agents, affirmatively represented to minor children and their families that Abuser did not pose a threat to children, did not have a history of molesting children, that School did not know that Abuser had a history of molesting children, and that School did not know that Abuser was a danger to children. Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s family were induced to rely on these affirmations and did rely on them. 63. School violated various New York statutes, including, but not limited to N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law §§ 413 and 420, which require school officials and teachers to report suspected cases of child abuse and impose liability for failure to report. 64. District violated various New York statutes, including, but not limited to N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law §§ 413 and 420, which require school officials and teachers to report suspected cases of child abuse and impose liability for failure to report. 65. The injuries and damages suffered by Plaintiff are specific in kind to Plaintiff and special, peculiar, and above and beyond those injuries and damages suffered by the public. NATURE OF ALLEGED CONDUCT 66. This action alleges physical, psychological and emotional injuries suffered as a result of conduct which would constitute a sexual offense on a minor as defined in Article 130 of the New York Penal Law, including without limitation, conduct constituting rape (consisting of sexual intercourse) (N.Y. Penal Law§§ 130.25 - 130.35); criminal sexual act (consisting of oral or anal sexual conduct) (N.Y. Penal Law§§ 130.40 - 130.53), and/or sexual abuse (consisting of sexual contact) (N.Y. Penal Law§§ 130.55 - 130.77). 12 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 67. The limitation of liability set forth in CPLR Art. 16 is not applicable to the claim of personal injury alleged herein, by reason of one or more of the exemptions provided in CPLR § 1602, including without limitation, that Defendants acted with reckless disregard for the safety Plaintiff, or knowingly or intentionally, in concert with its agents and employees, to retain and permit the abuser mentioned herein unfettered and prolonged unsupervised access to children. COUNT I – NEGLIGENCE 68. Plaintiff repeats and realleges by reference each and every allegation set forth above as if fully set forth herein. 69. Defendant breached its aforementioned duties that were owed to the Plaintiff and were otherwise negligent. 70. As a result of Defendant’s conduct described herein, constituting negligence and/or gross negligence, Plaintiff has and will continue to suffer personal physical and psychological injuries, including but not limited to great pain of mind and body; severe and permanent emotional distress; physical manifestations of emotional distress; problems sleeping and concentrating; low self-confidence, low self-respect, and low self-esteem; feeling of worthlessness, shamefulness, and embarrassment; feeling alone and isolated; losing faith in authority figures; struggling with alcohol problems; feeling helpless and hopeless; problems with sexual intimacy; relationship problems; trust issues; feeling confused and angry; depression; anxiety; feeling dirty, used, and damaged; having traumatic flashbacks; and feeling that his childhood and innocence was stolen. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s normal daily activities. As a victim of Defendant’s misconduct, Plaintiff is unable at this time to fully describe all the details of that abuse and the extent of the harm Plaintiff suffered as a result. 13 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 71. Defendant’s acts and conduct showed a reckless or willful disregard for the safety and well-being of Plaintiff and other children. 72. By reason of the foregoing, Defendant is liable to Plaintiff for compensatory damages, and for punitive damages (non-municipal Defendants), together with interest and costs. COUNT II - NEGLIGENT HIRING, SUPERVISION, RETENTION, AND/OR DIRECTION 73. Plaintiff repeats and realleges by reference each and every allegation set forth above as if fully set forth herein. 74. At all times herein, School hired Abuser. 75. At all times herein, District hired Abuser. 76. School hired Abuser for positions that required her to work closely with, mentor, supervise and counsel young boys and girls. 77. District hired Abuser for positions that required her to work closely with, mentor, supervise and counsel young boys and girls. 78. Defendant herein was negligent in hiring Abuser because Defendant knew or should have known, through the exercise of reasonable care, of Abuser’s propensity to develop inappropriate relationships with children in Defendant’s charge and to engage in sexual behavior and lewd and lascivious conduct with such children. 79. Abuser would not and could not have been in a position to sexually abuse Plaintiff had Abuser not been hired by the Defendant to mentor, teach, supervise and counsel children. 80. Abuser continued to sexually abuse Plaintiff while at or around the School. 81. The harm complained of was foreseeable. 14 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 82. Plaintiff would not have suffered the foreseeable harm complained of herein but for the negligence of the Defendant in having placed Abuser and/or allowed Abuser to remain in his position. 83. At all times while Abuser was employed or appointed by School, he was supervised by the Defendant herein and/or Defendant’s agents and employees. 84. At all times while Abuser was employed or appointed by School, he was under the direction of, and/or answerable to, the Defendant’s agents and employees. 85. At all times while Abuser was employed or appointed by District, he was supervised by Defendant herein and/or Defendant’s agents and employees. 86. At all times while Abuser was employed or appointed by District, he was under the direction of, and/or answerable to, the Defendant’s agents and employees. 87. Defendant was negligent in its direction and/or supervision of Abuser in that it knew or should have known, through the exercise of ordinary care, that Abuser’s conduct would subject third parties to an unreasonable risk of harm, including Abuser’s propensity to develop inappropriate relationships with children under his charge and to engage in sexual behavior and lewd and lascivious conduct with such children. 88. Defendant failed to take steps to prevent such conduct from occurring. 89. Defendant was negligent in its retention of Abuser in that it knew, or should have known, through the exercise of reasonable care, of Abuser’s propensity to develop inappropriate relationships with children under his charge and to engage in sexual behavior and lewd and lascivious conduct with such children. 90. Defendant retained Abuser in his positions as mentor, teacher, supervisor, coach and counselor to such children and thus left her in a position to continue such behavior. 15 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 91. Defendant was further negligent in its retention, supervision, and/or direction of Abuser allowing her to sexually molest Plaintiff on the Defendant’s premises. 92. Defendant failed to take reasonable steps to prevent such events from occurring on Defendant’s premises. 93. Abuser would not and could not have been in a position to sexually abuse Plaintiff had he not been negligently retained, hired, supervised, and/or directed by the Defendant as a mentor, teacher, supervisor, coach and counselor to the infant Plaintiff and other children at the School. 94. Defendant breached its duty of care to the Plaintiff and was otherwise negligent. 95. As a direct and/or indirect result of said conduct/negligence, Plaintiff has suffered the injuries and damages described herein. 96. By reason of the foregoing, Defendant is liable to Plaintiff for compensatory damages, and for punitive damages (non-municipal Defendants), together with interest and costs. COUNT III - BREACH OF STATUTORY DUTY TO REPORT ABUSE UNDER SOC. SERV. LAW §§ 413 and 420 97. Plaintiff repeats and realleges by reference each and every allegation set forth above as if fully set forth herein. 98. Pursuant to N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law §§ 413 and 420, Defendant, by and through, including but not limited to its principals, agents and/or employees, had a statutorily imposed duty to report or cause to report abuse or maltreatment of children in its care or children and/or parents, guardians, custodians or other persons legally responsible for such children that otherwise came before them in their official capacity, when Defendants had reasonable cause to suspect abuse or maltreatment of such children. 16 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 99. Defendant breached that duty by negligently, knowingly and/or willfully failing to report or causing to report reasonable suspicion of abuse or maltreatment of such children, and Plaintiff in particular. 100. As a direct and/or indirect result of said conduct, Plaintiff has suffered injuries and damages described herein. 101. By reason of the foregoing, Defendant is liable to Plaintiff for compensatory damages, and for punitive damages (non-municipal Defendants), together with interest and costs. 102. The sexual abuse of Plaintiff was extreme and outrageous conduct, beyond all possible bounds of decency, atrocious and intolerable in a civilized community. 103. By reason of the foregoing sexual contact, Plaintiff has suffered harms as more fully alleged herein, including emotional trauma and related continuing psychological sequela. 104. The limitations of liability set forth in Article 16 of the CPLR do not apply to any of the causes of action alleged in this Complaint. WHEREFORE, it is respectfully requested that the Court grant judgment in this action in favor of the Plaintiff, and against Defendant, in a sum of money in excess of the jurisdictional limits of all lower courts which would otherwise have jurisdiction, together with all applicable interest, costs, disbursements, as well as punitive damages against non-municipal defendants and such other, further and different relief as the Court in its discretion shall deem to be just, proper and equitable. Plaintiff further places Defendant on notice and reserves the right to interpose claims sounding in Fraudulent Concealment, Deceptive Practices and/or Civil Conspiracy should the facts and discovery materials support such claims. Dated: New York, New York May 25, 2021 17 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 18 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 ATTORNEY'S VERIFICATION Adam P. Slater, an attorney duly admitted to practice law in the Courts of the State of New York, hereby affirms the following statements to be true under the penalties of perjury, pursuant to Rule 2106 of the CPLR: Your affirmant is a partner of SLATER SLATER SCHULMAN, LLP, attorneys for the Plaintiff in the within action; That he has read the foregoing Summons & Complaint and knows the contents thereof; that the same is true to his own knowledge, except as to the matters therein stated to be alleged upon information and belief, and that as to those matters he believes it to be true. Affirmant further states that the source of his information and the grounds for his belief are derived from interviews with the Plaintiff and from the file maintained in the normal course of business. Affirmant further states that the reason this verification is not made by the Plaintiff is that the Plaintiff is not presently within the County of New York, which is the county wherein the attorneys for the Plaintiff herein maintain their offices. Dated: New York, New York May 25, 2021 19 of 20 FILED: PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK 05/25/2021 11:50 AM INDEX NO. 500754/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/25/2021 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE NEW YORK COUNTY OF PUTNAM ---------------------------------------------------------------------X T.S., Index No.: Plaintiff, -against- BREWSTER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, Defendant. --------------------------------------------------------------------X SUMMONS & VERIFIED COMPLAINT Slater Slater Schulman LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 488 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor New York, New York 10022 (212) 922-0906 CERTIFICATION Pursuant to 22 NYCRR §130-1.1-a, the undersigned, an attorney duly admitted to practice in the courts of the State of New York, certifies that, upon information and belief, and reasonable inquiry, the contentions contained in the annexed document are not frivolous as defined in subsection (c) of the aforesaid section. __________________________ Adam P. Slater, Esq. 20 of 20