Cherry Creek SD Pays Out $11.5M To Middle-School Sex Victims

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO – The Cherry Creek School District will pay out $11.5 million in a settlement to the families of five students who were victims of sexual abuse from a former teacher at Prairie Middle School in Aurora. Cherry Creek Superintendent Scott A. Siegfried announced the settlement Monday in a letter home to parents.

Middle-school social studies teacher Brian Vasquez, 35, pleaded guilty in July to multiple counts of sexual assault and exploitation of five girls who had been his students. He faces 60 years in prison when he is sentenced this week.

Vasquez was accused in August, 2017 of inappropriately engaging in sexual contact with his students over five years. He had taught at the middle school since 2011.

One of the victims and her parent reported Vasquez's actions to the Aurora Police Department. But much earlier, in 2013, a victim had come forward to complain about Vasquez to Prairie Middle School Principal David Gonzales, Assistant Principal Adrienne "A.J." MacIntosh and Cheryl Somers-Wegienka, a January, 2018 indictment said.

The three administrators failed to report earlier allegations made by a student to authorities that Vasquez had sent her texted pictures of his genitals and demanded nude photos of her. The principal reportedly scolded the student for complaining, claimed she was lying and said she would "ruin Vasquez's career" and hurt his family. The indictment, filed by the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, said the student was even forced to apologize and hug Vasquez at the end of a meeting with her parents, the teacher and administrators.

In January, Superintendent Harry Bull retired from the district, citing health concerns.

"We acknowledge that no amount of money can right the wrongs committed against these students by Mr. Vasquez. No student should ever suffer the injury and loss of innocence that these young women suffered as a result of the reprehensible actions of Mr. Vasquez," Siegfried wrote. "The district is committed to doing right by these young women and their families and hopes this settlement brings some degree of closure so that they can move on with their lives and continue the healing process."

Read the letter from Supt. Siegfried here:

Related: Cherry Creek SD Teacher Pleads Guilty To Sex Assault Of Students

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