A former Montebello Unified School District superintendent has recently filed a cross-complaint against the district in a spinoff of the ongoing litigation. The case originated when a man sued both the ex-schools chief and the district, accusing the former superintendent of enticing him into a sexual relationship in 2021 through promises of money, training, and assistance with obtaining U.S. citizenship.
In his cross-complaint, Anthony Martinez asserts that he denies any liability towards plaintiff Walther Medina. However, Martinez believes that the district should compensate him for any damages he might have to pay to his accuser as a result of a jury verdict or settlement. Additionally, he seeks reimbursement for his attorneys’ fees and costs.
On July 10, Judge Maurice Leiter reversed his previous decision to dismiss the case due to the non-appearance of Medina’s lawyer at scheduled hearings dating back to April 2022. Leiter accepted the attorney’s explanation that illness prevented his attendance.
According to the lawsuit, in or around March 2019, Martinez gained the trust of the then-30-year-old Medina by making promises of financial support, education, and training. Martinez also enticed Medina with opportunities to participate in leadership programs, a dedicated class, and a scholarship in his name. Furthermore, Martinez offered assistance in acquiring U.S. citizenship.
The lawsuit alleges that Martinez had a hidden agenda to exploit Medina’s trust for his own benefit, coercing him into engaging in a sexual relationship. This alleged misconduct was unlawful and involved an unlawful quid pro quo.
Medina explicitly expressed his lack of interest in a romantic relationship with Martinez and demanded that the superintendent reciprocate the sentiment, as stated in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit reveals that Martinez fraudulently assured the plaintiff that he did not expect any romantic involvement from Medina.
According to the suit, during the spring and summer of 2019, Martinez engaged in inappropriate touching of Medina in the superintendent’s office and at his home. The suit also accuses Martinez of sending romantic messages and taking photographs of Medina.
When Medina resisted Martinez’s advances, the superintendent allegedly retaliated by showing up at his workplace, discussing Medina’s family and education despite being told not to do so, and persistently calling and texting him, the lawsuit claims.
As a result of the alleged harassment, Medina felt compelled to leave the district and terminate his education, according to the lawsuit.
The lawyers representing Montebello Unified School District argue in their court documents that any relationship between Medina and Martinez was purely private. They also emphasize that “Dr. Martinez has explicitly denied all of the plaintiff’s allegations.”
In their court papers, the district’s attorneys maintain that Martinez’s alleged quid pro quo harassment of Medina is comparable to a teacher offering a student a favorable grade in exchange for sex or a coach promising a student-athlete the team captaincy if she sleeps with him.
“These examples clearly fall outside the scope of employment as a matter of law, and the same is true for Dr. Martinez’s alleged offer of academic assistance in exchange for sex,” assert the district’s attorneys in their court documents.
Martinez was terminated from his position in March 2021.
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