Gloria Allred now involved in teacher sexual misconduct case in Gilroy

High profile attorney Gloria Allred said she will represent a Gilroy teen and her family who is suing the Gilroy Unified School District. The mother of the teen said the lawsuit was filed Thursday and alleges the district mishandled a sexual misconduct case between a student and teacher.

“Because they failed to take meaningful actions, many more children were harmed. I hope that Gilroy Unified School District has learned a lesson,” said Celest Benn, the victim’s mother.

Benn said her daughter was a 15-year-old student at Gilroy High School in 2014 when she started getting sexual messages from her chemistry teacher, Douglas Le.

“It’s alleged that he also sent a text message indicating that he wanted to defecate upon this child,” said Allred.

Allred said the lawsuit is about the school not responding to the teen’s complaint.

“Instead, Mr. Le was allowed to continue teaching and continue to harass the minor child until she finally had to change schools,” said Allred.

In April, Le was arrested in a different investigation. He was accused of posing as a girl online to get photos from minors. He has resigned.

“In 2014, the district received a complaint that Mr. Le exchanged texts which contained inappropriate language with students. It was unprofessional and unacceptable but there was no criminal activity and it did not rise to the level required for dismissal,” said Rachel Zlotziver, the public information officer for the Gilroy Unified School District.

The district said Le was reprimanded, but Benn said it clearly wasn’t enough as an investigation showed his harassment of students continued online.

“We all want the best for our children. Our voices have not been heard. It is time for the Gilroy Unified School District to take action to protect our children,” said Benn.

District leaders said they’re working with police through the investigation. Allred said she’s been meeting with parents of other reported victims.