Sexual Misconduct Suit Filed Against D.C. Public School Chancellor Michelle Rhee and Former Teacher

Alleged long-term sexual relationship with teenage plaintiff resulted in pregnancy

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A law suit filed this week in the District Court for the District of Columbia alleges that former District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) teacher, Robert Weismiller engaged in a sexual relationship for several months during the 2008 to 2009 school year with Ayanna Blue, a student at Shadd Transition Academy, a school for students who have been diagnosed as "emotionally disturbed."

The suit alleges DCPS officials and staff, including Chancellor Michelle Rhee, acknowledged being aware of the 58-year-old teacher having sex with the then-18 year-old student but did nothing to protect Blue at the time. Weismiller was not even reprimanded or terminated for his actions after school officials conducted an internal investigation.  

Blue was given a Shadd health office-administered pregnancy test in December of 2008 which, according to them came back negative – they did not inquire about the sexual relationship that led to the request for the test. Nonetheless, the repeated sexual encounters between teacher and student eventually led to Blue's pregnancy and the birth of a baby girl.

DNA tests indicate a 99.99 per cent chance Weismiller is the baby's father.

The suit also documents the plaintiff's struggle to maintain her emotional stability and her inability to financially care for the child. DCPS conducted an investigation months after allegations surfaced and still did not find Weismiller liable for any misconduct despite concrete evidence showing his culpability.

According to the school system, he was eventually terminated in October of 2009 as part of a system-wide reduction in force. Additionally, Rhee didn't bring attention to this tragedy until there was media scrutiny earlier this year over her comments about having to fire irresponsible teachers, including ones "who had sex with students" in a Fast Company profile.

Now 20 years-old, Blue is repeating the 12th grade at Shadd because she had to take time off last year for the birth of her daughter. She has had to move out of her mother's house and currently resides in a short-term transitional living facility in D.C. Her future is uncertain and she fears becoming homeless. Meanwhile, Weismiller has been located living in Ocean City, Maryland. It's unclear whether he is teaching again.

"It's an utter disgrace that something as egregious as this can take place in our school system. Everyone from the people who interact daily with special needs students to top administrators like Michelle Rhee turned a blind eye to this horrible situation," said Scott Gilbert, lead counsel and founder of Gilbert LLP.  

"We are working hard to ensure that this young woman finally gets the justice she deserves," he added.

About Gilbert LLP

Based in Washington, DC, with an office in Austin, Texas, Gilbert LLP is a law firm that represents a wide range of clients, including corporations, partnerships, non-profit organizations and individuals in complex disputes, including high-stakes litigation, class actions and ADRs.  Best known for representing policyholder interests in insurance coverage matters, Gilbert LLP also has an active commercial litigation and public service practice. For more information about Gilbert LLP, visit www.gotofirm.com.

SOURCE Gilbert LLP