PORTLAND, Ore. (CN) - A father claims that a high school math teacher sexually molested his daughter after the man had been barred from teaching in New York state because of "similar sexual misconduct" there. And the dad claims the North Clackamas School District hired the man without checking his references - which the teacher had "forged" and written himself.
Student L.D. and her dad say Christopher Klitgord forged his letters of recommendation to get a job with North Clackamas during the 2008-2009 school year, the year after he was accused "similar sexual misconduct with a female student in the State of New York".
The dad says a basic reference check would have discovered that Klitgord was not eligible to teach in New York and that the New York State School System was still conducting its disciplinary investigation when North Clackamas hired him.
Klitgord selected the Oregon to be his teacher's assistant, to begin the "grooming process," according to the complaint in Multnomah County Court lawsuit.
The sexual abuse began in September and continued for 6 months, through March 2009, according to the complaint.
The student and her dad sued Klitgord, the school district and Teacher Standards and Practices Commission of Oregon, demanding $1.25 million, for negligence, failure to warn, emotional distress, and, against Klitgord only, sexual battery.
The student is represented by Wendy Squires.
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