April 29, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Venice High School student files lawsuit against former history teacher for sexual abuse

A lawsuit was filed against Los Angeles Unified on Tuesday on behalf of a teenage girl who alleges she was sexually abused by a former Venice High history teacher and tennis coach, including once in the school’s football stadium press box.

The mother of the girl filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against the LAUSD, former teacher Michael Finegold — who also was the public address announcer for varsity football games — and Venice High Principal Elsa Mendoza.

The suit alleges sexual battery, negligence and violations of the civil and education codes.

An LAUSD spokesman did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment.

According to the lawsuit, the alleged misconduct mainly occurred in October 2013 when the girl was 16 years old and primarily consisted of Finegold inappropriately touching the girl and having improper conversations with her.

“He (Finegold) would often ask plaintiff to remain in his classroom during nutrition, lunch and after school hours where he was alone with plaintiff,” the suit states.

“He would commonly give her back rubs, rub her feet or otherwise engage in inappropriate contact with plaintiff,” the suit states.

On occasion Finegold gave the girl “long and compassionate hugs” in front of students and school employees, according to the lawsuit.

Finegold also once texted the girl and said, “I want to sleep with you,” and told her in conversations that his marriage was failing and that he was sexually interested in the plaintiff, the suit states.

On Oct. 18, 2013, Finegold asked the girl to go with him to a VHS football game and invited her to watch from the press box, where he was scheduled to announce the game, the suit states.

During the first half of the game, Finegold began “inappropriate sexual contact” with the girl in front of the team’s official scorekeeper and a local news reporter, according to the lawsuit.

“There was quite a bit of inappropriate and perverse sexual comments being made by Finegold throughout the first half of the game,” the suit states.

Mendoza was told about Finegold’s alleged misconduct with the girl in the press box, but she watched him temporarily leave with the girl and did nothing to intervene, the suit states.

Instead of calling the police as was her duty under the law, Mendoza “called her administration to find out what to do,” the suit states.

After leaving the press box, Finegold went on to continue to inappropriately touch the girl in the back seat of his car, the suit states.

Finegold returned with the girl to the press box, where the plaintiff was removed by VHS personnel, the suit states.

Finegold was allowed to finish announcing the game, the suit states.

Neither Mendoza nor any of the other “mandated reporters” called police and so the girl and her mother had to make their own report to law enforcement last Oct. 20, the suit states.

After Finegold was arrested, the girl was harassed and ridiculed by other students, some of whom called her a “slut,” the suit states. In addition, a substitute teacher, with the girl present in the classroom, spoke of Finegold as a “great teacher” who was missed by other teachers as well as students, the suit states.

Related Posts

A vocal flower blooms in Beverly Canon Gardens

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

Soprano Golda Zahra comes home to put on a free concert in her old neighborhood “Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa…” The young couple was...

Geffen Playhouse Announces New Season Packed With Premieres and Powerful Voices

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

Season to Feature World Premieres, West Coast Debuts and Acclaimed Artists The Geffen Playhouse unveiled its 2025–26 season lineup, featuring...

Culver City Baseball and Softball Teams Gear Up for Crucial Santa Monica Matchups

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

Centaur Baseball Seeks Revenge After Last Year’s Setback Against Santa Monica Culver City High School’s varsity, junior varsity, and softball...

LA City Council Set to Dissect Proposed Budget in High-Stakes Tuesday Hearing

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Formal Deliberations Begin Following Passionate Comments From Residents The Los Angeles City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee will begin its...

Kids Learn Season of Science, Biomimicry in Heal the Bay Science Camp

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

This summer, kids have the opportunity to engage in science in Heal the Bay’s Aquarium Summer Science Camp.  Heal the...

Century City Couple Honored at Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Gala That Raised $1 Million

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Skirball Center Hosts Starry Night of Music, Philanthropy, and Community Recognition Century City residents and philanthropists Sandy and Pat Gage...

Los Angeles Residents Accused of Defrauding FEMA After Devastating Wildfires

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Defendants Faked Damage and Residency to Illegally Collect FEMA Aid Five individuals have been arrested on federal charges for allegedly...

Performing Arts Workshops Summer Camp Open for Registration

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Performing Arts Workshops (PAW) has something for everyone this summer. They offer four two-week musical theater camps and eight one-week...

Spring Brewery Artwalk & Open Art Studios

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Where Art Lives. If you’re looking for something fun and different to do, the Brewery Artwalk is holding its Spring...

Culver City Releases New 2025 Wildfire Hazard Maps for Local Neighborhoods

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

City Urges Public to Review Proposed Zone Maps and Submit Feedback Culver City residents can now review updated fire hazard...

Gene Simmons Lists Modern Beverly Hills Home for $14 Million Amid Downsizing

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

Kiss Rocker is Trimming His Real Estate Portfolio, Parting Ways With a Luxury Home Rock legend Gene Simmons is looking...

March Sees Another Dip in Home Sales as Inventory Grows Nationwide

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

Existing-Home Sales Fall, Inventory Builds as Buyers Face Higher Prices Existing-home sales across the United States declined in March, according...

LA City Attorney Drops Charges in Majority of UCLA, USC Protest Arrests

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

Charges Filed Against Edan On, After LA District Attorney Dropped Charges Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced on...

Mayor Issues Emergency Order to Waive Permit Fees for Palisades Residents

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

City Departments Ordered to Suspend Collection of Fees for Rebuilding Mayor Karen Bass on Friday issued an Emergency Executive Order...

West Hollywood Braces for Controversial Rally, Reaffirms Commitment to Equality

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

City of West Hollywood Condemns Harmful Rhetoric Ahead of Planned Assembly City officials and public safety leaders in West Hollywood are preparing...