MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (KNX) – A lawsuit was filed by two former Mission Viejo High students against Saddleback Valley Unified School District, a drama teacher, and her husband.
The husband, Jim Harris, was accused of “years of sexual grooming and abuse,” according to The Orange County Register. His wife, Kathy Cannarrozi-Harris, and the school district were named in the lawsuit for allegedly ignoring it.
In 2001, a woman reported to school officials that Harris, who was a substitute teacher at the high school, sexually assaulted her when she was a student, according to The Los Angeles Times. Another woman told the school Harris “groped her” and said he kept “pornographic” photos of multiple female students.
In 2005, Harris was fired, and in 2007, he lost his substitute teaching permit, but the lawsuit alleged Harris continued to interact with students by working with his wife.
Yara Wilde is one of the former students who filed the lawsuit. She was a student at Mission Viejo High School in 1994 and worked with the drama program. Wilde told the Times she and other students hung out with Harris and Cannarozzi-Harris, but that Harris would “massage” and touch her inappropriately.
She also said Cannarozzi-Harris had walked in a couple times on Harris touching Wilde, but didn’t say anything.
Wilde said despite attempts to notify the school, the school district didn’t do much.
Wendie Hauschild, a spokesperson for the school district, said the allegations were being investigated and that Cannarozzi-Harris was put on leave immediately.
Harris has since denied the allegations made against him.
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