CONSIDER THIS-How is it that the LAUSD's go-to outside law firm Sedgwick L.L.P. (that was embroiled in the Miramonte scandal and sanctioned for covering up evidence) is running teacher investigations, teacher jail, and the current witch hunt against nationally acclaimed teacher Rafe Esquith?
As CityWatch has previously reported, LAUSD's latest demand for 15 years of financial reports from the “Hobart Shakespeareans” non-profit (as well as Rafe Esquith's own personal finances) was answered by Esquith's friends with a rather novel and unprecedented four-minute video featuring Hal Holbrook, Ian McKellen and students whose lives have been positively impacted by Esquith.
Documents exclusively obtained by CityWatch show that this YouTube video came about in response to letters from the Sedgwick law firm, supposedly representing LAUSD, but refusing to share the reason for their authority for making such an intrusive and invasive request.
Here is the timeline of Sedgwick's involvement:
-July 8, 2015 - Craig S. Barnes, Managing Partner of the Sedgwick law firm, contacts the Geragos law firm and says, "This investigation is now about alleged financial issues relating to the Hobart Shakespeareans." What those issues are or whether they are justified in investigating Esquith is never addressed. And although they seek to do this without a subpoena, one must wonder why they didn't bring a formal legal action against Esquith, if they really have reason to justify such an intrusive investigation.
- July 14, 2015 - The Geragos law firm responds, "It is not clear (1) who at LAUSD appointed your firm counsel, (2) when your firm was retained, (3) whether disclosures were made to stakeholders regarding your significant billable rate for the witch-hunt against Mr. Esquith…and (4) what authority you have. No response from either Sedgwick or LAUSD.
- July 20, 2015 - Managing Partner Barnes from Sedgwick says "[the] investigation is designed to determine Mr. Esquith's compliance with government ethics laws in his actions with [the] Hobart Shakespeareans." Again, the basis for thinking that Esquith has violated any "government ethics laws" or why a non-governmental entity like LAUSD or the Sedgwick law firm are investigating Esquith are both noticeable omissions. And again, there is no statement as to why Esquith's actions are being investigated in the first place.
- July 28, 2015 - The Geragos law firm responds on behalf of Esquith, "Who hired you and who is paying your billable hours?" No response. Geragos now informs Sedgwick that, "Your July 20, 2015 letter to the “Shakespeareans” and your statements concerning Mr. Esquith constitute defamation of character per se. Still no response.
- Esquith supporters respond with a YouTube video in defense of Esquith and the “Hobart Shakespeareans.”
Since Sedgwick still refuses to respond to any requests with regard to its authority or basis for going after Esquith, we did some digging ourselves into the Sedgwick law firm. And what we came up with is shocking and might just be an all new low for LAUSD’s behavior towards its teachers and students.
After reviewing the following about Sedgwick's involvement in the Miramonte child abuse scandal cover-up (for which they were sanctioned), ask yourself if there is any credibility in LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines' statement in a recent Washington Post article: "When it comes to student safety, we are going to choose students over adults every single time."
LAUSD was fined $6,000 for failing to disclose the existence of hundreds of photographs, some showing children being sexually abused by convicted Miramonte teacher Mark Berndt. Sedgwick was LAUSD's lawyers on this one.
A judge ordered LAUSD to turn over digital copies of employee testimony that they earlier denied having. Sedgwick was LAUSD's lawyers on this one too.
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"In a sworn deposition, [LAUSD employee Rosa] Gianopoulos said she took a medical leave from the district because she felt pressure from her bosses."
"When asked if it was [Asst. LAUSD General Counsel] McNair who was making her feel that way, [Gianopoulos] was instructed not to answer. LAUSD (Sedgwick) attorney Craig S. Barnes claiming, ‘attorney-client privilege, work-product protection, instruct her not to answer.’"
(Leonard Isenberg is a Los Angeles observer and a contributor to CityWatch. He’s a second generation teacher at LAUSD and blogs at perdaily.com. Leonard can be reached at [email protected])
-cw
CityWatch
Vol 13 Issue 63
Pub: Aug 4, 2015
