CHICAGO (WLS) — A former Chicago Public Schools security guard faces charges for sexually assaulting a student at Farragut High School on the Southwest Side.
She was 15 years old at the time.
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Now, the teen’s family is suing her accused attacker and the school board.
They claim the board missed red flags when it came to the security guard’s background.
During the CPS Board meeting on Wednesday, new litigation details emerged against the board, involving a student and a security guard who is no longer employed by CPS.
A Loop attorney announced a lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, alleging the board failed to thoroughly investigate the security guard’s background before his employment.
“CPS acted recklessly by not examining Mr. Campoverde’s background, which would have revealed his history of violence, including 16 arrests over a 20-plus-year period,” stated attorney Mark Brown.
The complaint claims a security guard met a freshman student at Farragut High School in 2023.
The complaint claims that on June 25, 2023, Romel Campoverde provided alcohol to the then-15-year-old student, took her to his parked RV, and raped her.
In 2023, Campoverde was arrested and charged with criminal sexual assault. He had pleaded not guilty to the criminal charge.
The recent civil litigation names both Campoverde and the Chicago Board of Education as defendants.
In a statement, CPS said, “Chicago Public Schools (CPS) remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students. In accordance with District policy, CPS does not comment on matters involving pending litigation.”
The former Farragut student in this case preferred to be anonymous.
Her attorneys shared a comment from the teenager she wanted made public.
It reads in part, “I used to be a happy, outgoing teenager. I loved school….I missed a whole year because I was too afraid….Even now, I still have nightmares.”
“It’s been very difficult for her; I spoke with her right before I came in to see you all, and she’s devastated over all this,” Brown said.
Campoverde’s criminal case is still pending. He’s due in court later this month. In that case he was assigned a public defender.
The public defender’s spokesperson had no comment on the criminal case. It is unclear if he has an attorney in the civil complaint just filed.
As for the teenager, who is now 18, her attorneys said she has yet to graduate high school due to the disruption caused by the alleged incident.
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