Wednesday’s notice of a tentative settlement was filed in a case against Los Angeles Unified. It alleges that a 16-year-old girl was molested by an after school program counselor in 2017 when she was 11.
Los Angeles Superior Court papers stated that the settlement sought by the LAUSD on behalf of the plaintiff, identified only as S.C., was “conditional” and dependent on the completion of unspecified circumstances. Further, the court papers stated that a request to dismissal must be made by April 30.
No settlement terms were disclosed. Trial was set to begin February 22.
The counsel Daniel Khodaverdi and the LAUSD lawyers denied any liability in court papers. They also disputed the nature of S.C.’s claims for damages.
S.C. was in fifth grade at Columbus Avenue Elementary School, Van Nuys, in 2017. She was also a member LAUSD’s LA Best after-school program. When she met Khodaverdi (who was in his 20s at that time), the suit stated.
Khodaverdi quickly became acquainted and began to groom and condition the girl. He used praise, mentoring, compliments and the sharing of personal data. He also used nicknames, gifts and touched the girl, according to the suit states.
The suit stated that Khodaverdi encouraged plaintiff to call him “Coach K” to establish a close, inappropriate relationship with the girl to manipulate her emotions and take advantage her age.
Khodaverdi escalated his alleged misconduct in 2017 by asking the girl to sit next to him, and then yelling at her if she refused. According to the suit, the counselor began inappropriate touching her while they were lying next to each other. He also later observed her taking a shower.
S.C. revealed to a therapist that she had been abused in September 2018. The suit was filed in January 2020.
S.C. claims that the LAUSD and management of LA’s Best engaged “in a concerted effort to hide evidence” about Khodaverdi’s alleged misconduct prior to abusing plaintiff, according to the suit.
LA’s Best’s website explains that the after-school program provides nutritious meals, homework help, and enrichment activities to students in 200 LAUSD schools.
