John Denuto, 46, Spotswood, New Jersey, is several schools’ former special education teacher and wrestling coach. Over the years, this convicted perpetrator has been linked with an alarming number of schools.

John Denuto, arrested and pled guilty to one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, one count of third-degree endangering, and one count of fourth-degree invasion of privacy. In total, seven victims are involved. What we know to be true of child sexual offenders is where there is one victim, there usually are more. This is especially true in offenders like Denuto, who have sought positions with access to children and have jumped around from school to school. There is a high probability of more victims at these other schools.

You are not alone.

Andreozzi + Foote lawyers offer experience and a trauma-informed approach when seeking justice for our clients.

How Can A Civil Lawsuit Help Victims Seek Justice For The Trauma They May Have Experienced From John Denuto?

There are many misunderstandings about why a survivor of sexual abuse would choose to file a civil lawsuit.   Child sexual abuse takes away so much from the survivors and families impacted. Our society still struggles to find ways to repair the harm done by individual perpetrators and institutions that have covered up child sexual abuse.  Outdated statutes of limitations across our country leave far too many survivors denied access to our criminal or civil justice courts.

Filing a civil case can be an essential step for survivors and their families in their journey to slowly rebuild their lives and create pathways to healing.  Motivation for filing a civil suit is often questioned and unfairly stereotyped as being “all about money. Filing a civil lawsuit can cast survivors as “money hungry” and is weaponized to shame and blame them even more. This couldn’t be further from the truth for survivors of child sexual abuse. The civil justice system offers victims more than just monetary benefits.  It gives survivors access to justice, validation, exposure, confrontation, and ultimately some resolution. The resolution allows survivors of sexual abuse to understand and process what happened and create a new path forward without confusion, questions, and fear.

Can I File A Lawsuit Against the Schools?

Yes. If you were a victim of John Denuto while he was employed or a volunteer at any of the above places, you may have rights.