Introduction to the Case
A former Farragut High School student is suing Chicago Public Schools, claiming the district failed to do a sufficient background search on a security guard, putting her in daily contact with a predator who groomed and sexually assaulted her. Romel Campoverde faces 11 criminal charges linked to his alleged abuse of the then-15-year-old girl in 2022, referred to in court records as Jane Doe. He has pleaded not guilty.
Background of the Security Guard
In the lawsuit filed in Cook County court, Doe claims CPS hired Campoverde despite a lengthy criminal record of 16 arrests and indications that Campoverde was an avowed gang member. The lawsuit highlights the district’s failure to adequately investigate Campoverde’s past, which included a history of violent and dangerous behavior.
Impact on the Victim
“What Romel Campoverde did to me changed everything,” Doe said in a statement provided by her attorney, Mark Brown. “I used to be a happy, outgoing teenager. I loved school. I trusted adults. After the attack, I couldn’t go back to my school. I missed a whole year because I was too afraid, too afraid to face my classmates, teachers and other security guards. Even now, I still have nightmares. CPS hired a man to protect us that they should have known was violent. They were supposed to protect me. They didn’t.”
District’s Response and Policies
Brown said the district’s “own policies and procedures” require applicants to provide written explanations for arrests and convictions, but “they did none of that here, and they were reckless.” A CPS spokesperson said the district is “committed to the safety and well-being of its students,” but declined to comment on the pending litigation.
Investigation and Findings
According to the lawsuit, the district didn’t adequately follow up on Campoverde’s criminal background. And the district didn’t make an effort to get police reports linked to the arrests that showed Campoverde was a gang member and that he had a “history of violent, dangerous and criminal behavior.” Brown said he was able to obtain the police reports from the incidents through a public records request.
Conclusion
The case highlights the importance of thorough background checks and the need for schools to prioritize student safety. The lawsuit alleges that CPS’s failure to properly investigate Campoverde’s past led to the sexual assault of a student, and it raises questions about the district’s policies and procedures for hiring staff.
FAQs
Q: What is the lawsuit about?
A: The lawsuit is about a former Farragut High School student who claims that Chicago Public Schools failed to do a sufficient background search on a security guard, putting her in daily contact with a predator who groomed and sexually assaulted her.
Q: Who is the security guard accused of sexual assault?
A: The security guard accused of sexual assault is Romel Campoverde, who faces 11 criminal charges linked to his alleged abuse of the then-15-year-old girl in 2022.
Q: What is the district’s response to the lawsuit?
A: A CPS spokesperson said the district is “committed to the safety and well-being of its students,” but declined to comment on the pending litigation.
Q: What are the allegations against the district?
A: The lawsuit alleges that the district didn’t adequately follow up on Campoverde’s criminal background and didn’t make an effort to get police reports linked to the arrests that showed Campoverde was a gang member and that he had a “history of violent, dangerous and criminal behavior.”
