A safety officer employed by Fall River Public Schools (FRPS) has initiated a lawsuit against the school department, two superintendents, and several other employees. The officer, Carla Cruz, alleges multiple instances of sexual harassment and claims she faced retaliation after reporting the incidents. The lawsuit seeks $10 million in damages and demands a jury trial for intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The complaint, filed on October 9 in Bristol County Superior Court, details various forms of alleged misconduct. Cruz’s legal action highlights concerns about workplace safety and accountability within the school district’s administration.
Key Takeaways
- Fall River Public Schools safety officer Carla Cruz filed a $10 million lawsuit.
- Allegations include sexual harassment, drug offers, and retaliation.
- Superintendent Tracy Curley and former Superintendent Maria Pontes are named as defendants.
- The lawsuit names three individuals accused of direct sexual harassment.
- Cruz claims complaints to officials were not adequately addressed.
Allegations Against Director of Security
Carla Cruz began her role as a safety officer in October 2021. At that time, she reported to Joseph Correia, who served as the director of security for FRPS and was assigned to B.M.C. Durfee High School. The lawsuit outlines a pattern of alleged inappropriate behavior by Correia.
According to the court documents, Cruz became aware of an alleged extramarital affair between Correia and a female co-worker. She claims to have frequently heard the two engaging in sexual activity in Correia’s office during work hours. Furthermore, Cruz alleges that Correia and the co-worker engaged in inappropriate and graphic sexual conversations with her about their affair.
A particularly disturbing allegation involves Correia reportedly asking Cruz to engage in sexual activity with his alleged mistress. The lawsuit states that Correia showed them a pair of "vibrating panties" on a sexually graphic website using his school-issued computer, suggesting they use them. Cruz asserts that she refused these advances.
Key Fact
The lawsuit claims that Joseph Correia allegedly offered Carla Cruz drugs, including marijuana and "white powder," to participate in a threesome.
The lawsuit also claims Correia maintained bags of marijuana, "white powder," various pills, and alcohol in his office. Cruz alleges he offered her these substances, suggesting they would "loosen her up" for a threesome. This points to potential drug use and distribution on school property.
Further allegations from the summer of 2022 include Correia directing an FRPS box truck, typically used for school purposes, to help move his alleged mistress's belongings from her fiancé's home after the affair became known. Cruz also claims that, under Correia’s direction, she and the alleged mistress purchased marijuana from a dispensary in Somerset and stored it at the school.
Retaliation and Unsubstantiated Claims
Cruz states that she reported these incidents to then-Superintendent Maria Pontes. Following her complaints, the lawsuit alleges Cruz "suffered retaliation both expressly and indirectly." She describes enduring a hostile work environment as a result of speaking out.
Ultimately, Correia was removed from his position. The lawsuit notes this removal was "due to unspecified reasons," suggesting a lack of transparency regarding the circumstances of his departure.
"Cruz alleges that she complained to then-Superintendent Pontes and subsequently 'suffered retaliation both expressly and indirectly,' leading to a hostile work environment."
Additional Allegations Against Other Employees
The lawsuit extends beyond Correia, naming two other individuals, Kyle Frizado and Jordan Periquito, who Cruz accuses of sexual harassment. These allegations further underscore a pattern of alleged misconduct within the school district’s security staff.
Background on Title IX
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. This includes sexual harassment, which schools are legally obligated to investigate and address.
Cruz alleges that Frizado, at an unspecified date, asked her if she was interested in creating pornography with him, which she refused. During a Durfee football game in September 2022, where both were working as security guards, Cruz claims Frizado repeatedly made sexually inappropriate remarks about young women attending the game. She also alleges he groped her while they were riding in a golf cart on the grounds.
Cruz states she felt physically ill after this incident. She reported the matter to her supervisors. However, instead of the alleged perpetrator facing consequences, Cruz claims she was transferred to another school. The lawsuit indicates that Thomas Coogan, FRPS Human Resources Executive Director, "investigated" the matter but found the allegations "to be un-sustained."
Further Instances of Harassment and Deleted Evidence
The lawsuit also includes claims against Jordan Periquito. Cruz alleges that from April to June 2024, Periquito insisted she engage in sexual acts with him. She also claims he sexually harassed and touched her inappropriately while they were at Stone School.
Cruz states she made formal complaints about Periquito to school officials. However, Brian Lally, the FRPS Title IX Coordinator, reportedly informed her in July 2024 that camera footage reviewed by the school principal "did not produce any evidence in support of your claims." Crucially, the lawsuit states that "the video has since been deleted." The deletion of potential evidence raises serious questions about the integrity of the investigation process.
Later in November, Cruz claims that while she and Periquito were working an overtime shift together, he again approached her and offered to pay her money for sex. This alleged incident suggests a continued pattern of harassment even after formal complaints were made.
District's Alleged Failure to Act
The lawsuit asserts that Cruz made school department officials fully aware of the harassment and inappropriate behavior she was experiencing. Despite these reports, Cruz alleges that the officials "failed to take necessary action" to address the issues. This alleged inaction created an environment where she felt uncomfortable performing her job duties.
- Cruz reported alleged sexual harassment to school officials.
- She claims officials did not take sufficient action.
- An investigation into one complaint found allegations "un-sustained."
- Video evidence related to another complaint was reportedly deleted.
The defendants named in the lawsuit include the Fall River Public Schools department itself, Superintendent Tracy Curley, former Superintendent Maria Pontes, Human Resources Executive Director Thomas Coogan, and Title IX Coordinator Brian Lally. Joseph Correia, Kyle Frizado, and Jordan Periquito are also named as defendants.
As of the filing date, the defendants have not yet formally responded to the lawsuit. Carla Cruz is being represented by attorneys Joseph Fingliss Jr. of Fall River and Lenine Camacho of Springfield. This legal action brings significant attention to the procedures and accountability within the Fall River Public Schools system regarding employee safety and harassment complaints.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have broader implications for how school districts handle allegations of misconduct and ensure a safe working environment for all employees. The focus on alleged retaliation and the handling of evidence will be central to the court proceedings.
