Attorneys Darrell Cochran, Colleen Durkin Peterson, and Bridget Grotz filed lawsuits on behalf of two former female students, both of whom allege they were sexually abused as minors by a coach at Seattle Preparatory School.
The alleged perpetrator, Jeff Pietz, was a teacher, coach and athletic director at the school. The plaintiffs allege that as student-athletes Pietz sexually groomed, targeted, harassed and abused them between 1999 and 2003.
In the complaint, PCVA attorneys state that Seattle Preparatory School knew or should have known that Pietz presented a threat to female students. Despite this knowledge, the school willfully turned a blind eye to his sexual misconduct, thus endangering those entrusted to his care.
“We know that there were faculty, there were staff people, there were fellow coaches within Seattle Prep who had concerns,” Darrell said in an interview with KING 5.
Due to the abuse, both plaintiffs suffered mental anguish and severe emotional distress. The plaintiffs’ losses include economic and non-economic damages, both past and future. The lawsuits claim negligence on behalf of the school and demand trial before a jury.
Media coverage about the lawsuit:
King 5, “Former students allege sexual abuse by teacher, claim Seattle Prep ‘knew or should have known‘”