Judge OKs $6OM Settlement For Fairfield Grad's Sex Abuse Victims

FAIRFIELD, CT — A judge has issued a preliminary order for the approval of a $60 million settlement for up to 170 sexual abuse victims of Fairfield University graduate Douglas Perlitz, according to a new release from the law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy. The class-action lawsuit alleges that Perlitz used portions of funds raised in Fairfield to groom his victims at Project Pierre Toussaint, a school he operated in Haiti.

Fairfield University is among six defendants responsible for paying the settlement, according to the news release, which states the college failed to institute safeguards to prevent the abuse.

“From 1999 to 2008, donors gave millions to support Perlitz’s activities with PPT,” the news release stated. “… Fairfield University knew that Perlitz used substantial portions of these funds to finance his frequent trips to, and extended stays in, Haiti.”

Fairfield University officials declined to comment on the interim order for the settlement.

When the settlement was announced in January, 133 victims had filed claims, according to the news release, which stated that as of Thursday, 150 victims have been deemed eligible and another 20 claims are pending. The order issued Wednesday by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Chatigny is set to become final Aug. 27, the news release stated.

In 2013, the same defendants paid $12 million to settle similar claims brought by 24 other young men victimized by Perlitz when they were children, according to the news release. Perlitz is currently serving a nearly 20-year prison sentence, the Connecticut Post has reported.