Twelve McDonogh alumni sue school over sexual abuse

Twelve former students of the McDonogh School have filed a lawsuit accusing the school of negligence in handling sexual abuse claims involving staff members. The alumni attended the school from 1964 to 1988. Five live in Maryland or Washington, D.C., while others are in states like Delaware, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Florida, and Arizona. The lawsuit, filed in Baltimore County, claims that the school could have discovered the abuse with "minimal diligence" but failed to act. It names four faculty members, including Alvin J. Levy and Robert Creed, who have faced allegations before. The complaint also includes two staff members previously unaccused: Josette McMillan and English teacher Bart Harrison. Harrison, who died in 1989, was recently honored by the school. The lawsuit mentions allegations of misconduct against him and McMillan. McDonogh School has acknowledged the lawsuit and stated it is committed to ensuring a safe environment for students. In 2019, an investigation revealed that five staff members had allegedly assaulted around two dozen students over the years. The school has faced multiple lawsuits accusing it of failing to protect students. If found liable, McDonogh could owe significant damages, with the current lawsuit seeking over $75,000 for each of the 12 plaintiffs.