Allegations in Miramonte molestation case grow

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Source: LA Times

Previously undisclosed accusations against former Miramonte Elementary School teacher Mark Berndt reveal a more widespread pattern of alleged abuse, with more than 100 possible victims, including some children who said Berndt molested them, according to court documents.

The new allegations about Berndt are included in a 512-page report based on a two-year inquiry by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. The report is confidential, but was summarized by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge John Shepard Wiley in a ruling during a pre-trial hearing this week.

These are the first public allegations that the veteran elementary teacher sexually abused students. Wiley indicated that Berndt touched them in a sexual manner and exposed himself. According to the sheriff's report, he also urged students to touch him, Wiley said.

Berndt's attorney Manny Medrano said his client is not guilty of the broader abuse alleged in the sheriff's investigation.


Read more: http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-miramonte-20140502,0,701289,full.story

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The Miramonte scandal inspired the state legislature to pass legislation that would streamline the process for firing public school teachers. Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed the 2013 version of the bill, but legislators revised this bill this year:

Most of the big changes in Assembly Bill 215 would apply only to charges of egregious misconduct – acts that would include sexual abuse, child abuse and some drug crimes. While these make up a small percentage of firings – most dismissal cases are for unsatisfactory performance – they also are the most horrific, threatening children’s health and safety.

Superintendents already can immediately suspend teachers suspected of immoral conduct. Usually this has been done with pay, and districts have complained that the firing process can take too long and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Lucia cited cases in which districts, to avoid costly hearings, reached resignation or transfer agreements in which they agreed to remove charges from a teacher’s record and not report them to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The commission has the authority to revoke teacher licenses.

Last year, the LA Daily News published an expose of hundreds of teacher misconduct cases in LAUSD.

Mark Berndt = the Jerry Sandusky of the West Coast.

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1. Awful

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2. .....