Media Alert
August 16, 2012
Breck School to Court: Throw Out Fraud Case on
Statute of Limitations Grounds
Judge will hear motion to dismiss Friday morning
Richard Covin, a brave survivor, brought case against
Breck for sexual abuse by known child molester and teacher William Jacobs
(St. Paul,MN)In response to Plaintiff Richard Covin’s
lawsuit against Breck School for allowing him to be sexually abused by a known
sex offender, the school has moved to throw out Plaintiff's lawsuit on the
grounds that his case is beyond the statute of limitations.
Plaintiff Richard Covin was a student at Breck School from
grades seven through nine in 1972 - 1975, where Jacobs was his science and
outdoor recreation teacher.
Earlier this year Covin, who now resides in Wisconsin, filed
a lawsuit alleging fraud against Breck School, because administrators at the
exclusive private school knew Jacobs had sexually abused other children, yet it
continued to employ Jacobs and represent that he was safe around children even
though the school knew of his previous sexual misconduct.
From 1973-1975 when Covin was 12-15 years-old, Jacobs
sexually abused him on numerous occasions. Before working at Breck,
Jacobs worked at YMCA camps and Blake School. In both places, he abused
children and officials learned about the abuse. After Jacobs was fired
from Blake, he was hired at Breck. While at Breck, Jacobs sexually abused
another student in 1974, and the student reported the abuse to the school
officials including headmaster John Littleford. Jacobs continued to be
employed at Breck after this report and continued to abuse Plaintiff. At
least 17 other boys have reported being sexually abused by Jacobs while he was
with the YMCA camps, the Blake School and Breck School.
Hennepin County District Judge William R. Howard will hear
arguments from both parties regarding the motion to dismiss on Friday, August
17, 2012 at 8:30 A.M. at the Hennepin County Government Center.
Jacobs was recently sentenced to 18 years in prison for
sexually abusing three boys.
Contact: Attorney Jeff Anderson /St. Paul Office
Toll Free 888.567.5557 Mobile 612.817.8665
