Rutgers Prep, Coaches Sued In Connection With Sex Assault Of Student

SOMERSET, NJ — A lawsuit was filed against Rutgers Preparatory School, the school’s former teachers and assistant coaches Matthew Rennie and Ranait Griff, and others in connection with the sexual abuse of a former student, who was a minor at the time.

Laffey, Bucci & Kent, LLP filed the suit in Somerset County Superior Court on Tuesday. (See the full lawsuit below)

Firm attorney Brian Kent told Patch there was a multitude of reasons to file this lawsuit.

"First and foremost not to let this happen to anyone else," said Kent.

Additionally, he noted that the suit wants to change a culture that existed at the private school, at 1345 Easton Ave. in Somerset, that allows the abuse to happen to his client, who is identified only as Mary Doe.

"Mary Doe" was enrolled at the private school from 2018 to 2021.

The complaint alleges that Rutgers Prep and all defendants negligently failed to protect the minor student, and knew, or should have known, of Rennie’s unlawful, harmful, and offensive sexual conduct with the minor and did nothing to stop it.

"We want that [culture] changed. This lawsuit is the first way to do that. We want accountability and transparency about who knew what," said Kent.

Susan Gantz, a spokesperson with Rutgers Preparatory School, issued the following response to Patch:

"We are aware that a lawsuit has been filed in response to the actions of two former employees, however we are not able to speak to the details of the matter at this time. We can share that an independent evaluation last year found that Rutgers Prep has in place extensive personnel policies to protect students from inappropriate behavior and provide a means by which such complaints can be reported. The policies and procedures we have in place were confirmed by the assessment to be comprehensive and are directed at providing a safe and supportive learning environment for students."

Both Rennie of Ringoes and Griff of Brooklyn, New York were teachers and coaches at the private school and were both charged in connection with the sexual abuse of a minor in October 2021. Read More: 2 Rutgers Prep Coaches Charged In Connection With Sex Assault

Rennie pled guilty to sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, according to the lawsuit.

Rennie and "Mary Doe", a freshman, began talking in August 2018 when she confided to him about emotional abuse she was receiving from one of her Rutgers Prep coaches, according to the lawsuit.

The two continued to talk over their cell phones and texting. In 2019, "Mary Doe" would eat breakfast around once a week with Rennie and two other students during her first-period study hall, alleged the lawsuit.

"Rutgers Prep administrators knew that teachers routinely ate lunch with students which fostered an environment that allowed predators such as Rennie to thrive and groom students such as Plaintiff Mary Doe," according to the lawsuit.

Rennie began texting "Mary Doe" on a near-daily basis in 2020. During COVID in March 2021, "Mary Doe" was able to return to school in person but with limited staff she was often alone with Rennie, according to the suit.

The lawsuit also alleges Rennie expressed his love for "Mary Doe" and Griff was aware of the conduct between the two. Griff allegedly read text messages exchanged between the two.

Griff asked Mary Doe how "she felt about the situation" and discussed it with her, telling Mary Doe she thought she and Rennie were "seriously adorable" and "when do you think it’s going to start being physical?" according to the lawsuit.

Throughout the summer of 2021, Rennie and "Mary Doe", who was a virgin at the time, had sex at Rennie’s house, local parks, and/or in Rennie’s car while she was a minor at the time, according to the lawsuit.

Sex also reportedly happened in Rennie's classroom at Rutgers Prep, alleges the lawsuit.

"Rennie’s abuse of Plaintiff Mary Doe was discovered by her parents, Plaintiffs John and Jane Doe. Had Plaintiffs John and Jane Doe not discovered the abuse, it likely would have continued because Rutgers Prep fostered an environment that perpetuated the abuse," according to the lawsuit.

The complaint alleges that the defendants caused the victim to experience extreme emotional distress, loss of earnings, services, companionship, and contribution. It further alleges violations of New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Breach of Contract, Assault & Battery, and Failure to Rescue.

"Rutgers Prep was aware of the inappropriate relationships fostered at the school, including between Rennie and our client, and allowed a toxic culture to bloom between students, teachers, and coaches by failing to supervise its staff or respond to student complaints. To add insult to Mary Doe’s injury, Coach Griff knew of Rennie’s conduct, and actively encouraged Mary Doe to engage in physical, sexual activity with Rennie. The defendants’ collective failure to act to protect Mary Doe and other students at Rutgers Prep is grossly negligent," stated Kent.

Kent and his clients are hoping by filing the lawsuit it will make changes to make sure this doesn't happen again.

Kent and his firm are "encouraging anyone who may have experienced inappropriate conduct or sexual abuse by Rennie or Griff, or sexual abuse by any other employee of Rutgers Prep to come forward."

Those looking to speak can call a hotline established at 855-382-3385. Or for more information, contact Kent, Stewart or MacMaster at 855-382-3385, or bkent@laffeybuccikent.com, rstewart@laffeybuccikent.com and amacmaster@lbk-law.com.

"The school must be held accountable for its negligence and the harm it has caused Mary Doe and anyone else who may have been harmed," said Kent.

Civil Case Jacket by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd

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