CHICAGO— Nine elementary school girls who were molested by a band teacher have been awarded $3.5 million by a federal jury.
Four years ago, the teacher, Robert Sperlik, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing and kidnapping more than 20 girls, according to the Chicago Sun Times. In the lawsuit, the families of nine of the girls claimed one of the school’s principals where Sperlik taught was aware of his activities, didn’t report the abuse and hid evidence of it from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
In 2001, officials from South Berwyn School District 100 sent him at least two warnings telling him to stop inappropriately touching students. Police found the letters during a search of Sperlik’s residence.
Sperlik, the principal and the school district were all named in the lawsuit that was settled earlier this month.
