The Los Angeles Unified School District has reached another settlement with former students who alleged they were sexually abused by a Miramonte Elementary School teacher, bringing the total payout in the case so far to over $200 million.
Former 3rd grade teacher Mark Berndt was arrested in 2012 and pleaded no contest to 23 charges of lewd conduct. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
For the school district that employed him despite complaints of disturbing behavior that dated back to 1983, the damage he wrought is ongoing.
In the latest settlement, finalized earlier this week, the district agreed to pay 12 former students a total of $1.05 million, a significantly smaller sum than previously was offered to alleged victims.
