An Alaska school district is facing a lawsuit from a former student after an ex-tutor was convicted of forcing him into sex.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District had 15 days to respond to a Nov. 30 letter from the former student’s attorney before a civil lawsuit is filed.
The Board of Education will evaluate options Monday.
Mike Stepovich says his client’s rape could have been avoided, but the district inadequately responded to a 2009 complaint.
Claude Fowlkes III maintained his innocence when he was sentenced to 35 years in prison for sexually abusing the student. He is appealing the conviction.
He is scheduled to go to trial Dec. 19 in another sexual abuse case involving a minor.
