Gross Negligence, Institutional Cover-Up Alleged at Bishop Luers High School
Roman Catholic Archdiocese, Diocese and Bishop Luers Named in Child Exploitation and Pornography Lawsuit
Less than a year after Bishop Luers teachers Jordan Miller and Matthew Brown were sentenced for sex crimes against minors, a new lawsuit alleges widespread instances of child exploitation and pornography affecting more than three dozen high school-aged victims.
Four female students, along with their parents, are suing the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and Bishop Luers High School, as well as David Maugel, Superintendent of Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocesan Schools, and three Bishop Luers’ staff members: Kevin Mann, Dean of Students and Athletic Director; Scott Kreiger, Principal; and James Huth, former Principal and current Director of Development.
The complaint, filed in Marion County Court on January 21, 2025, alleges gross negligence, civil liability (failure to report), fraudulent concealment and breach of Fiduciary Duty, among other allegations, in connection with the defendants’ handling of disturbing pornographic videos created and distributed by classmates of Jane Does I-IV. Plaintiffs are represented by Greg Laker and Andrea Simmons of CohenMalad, LLP, Indianapolis.
“This case demonstrates what happens when those entrusted with our children’s care don’t uphold their legal and moral responsibility to protect them,” said attorney Greg Laker. “Instead, Bishop Luers High School, the Diocese and Archdiocese prioritized their own public image and reputation, utterly failing the student-victims.”
Beginning sometime in 2022, three male students at Bishop Luers began conducting internet searches for explicit images and videos of women/girls who resembled fellow female students. The student-perpetrators saved, edited and modified these files, overlayed first and last names of the intended student-victims on the media, and organized the collections into folders also bearing girls’ first and last names.
Perpetrators then marketed, sold and distributed these named pornographic “collections” to students at Bishop Luers and other Fort Wayne area high schools.
The complaint alleges that Catholic school officials including Maugel, Mann, Kreiger and Huth became aware of the creation and sale of this pornographic content, and the victimization of their students, in early 2023. However, despite being mandatory reporters of child abuse pursuant to Indiana Code 31-33-5-1, none of the defendants relayed information to law enforcement. Defendants also made a conscious decision not to notify victims or their parents, seize perpetrators’ school electronic devices, scan the school’s server for explicit material, or conduct any kind of reasonable investigation.
It was not until late September 2023 – immediately after Jane Doe II discovered the crimes, alerted other victims, and plaintiffs gave an ultimatum to contact police or they would – that school officials notified authorities.
Plaintiffs assert the defendants failed to act with reasonable care to protect Jane Does I-IV and dozens of other students from foreseeable harm, failed to uphold school policies designed to prevent sexual harassment, bullying and abuse, and failed to take appropriate action in response. Further, the defendants themselves injured and harmed Jane Does I-IV and the other victims by their negligence and deliberate, reckless indifference to the students’ privacy and welfare.
“The sexual exploitation these minors have suffered is profoundly dehumanizing,” said attorney Andrea Simmons. “To have victims further harmed by leadership’s deliberate concealment of the crimes reflects a shocking indifference for the dignity and well-being of students.”
In total, it is believed 38 female students, most or all of whom were minors at the time, were victimized. Potentially half of these individuals may currently be unaware that their name and a similar likeness was abused for this purpose.
Recent past and present Bishop Luers students with concerns about whether they are on the list of victims are encouraged to contact CohenMalad, LLP for a confidential review.
Attorneys Greg Laker and Andrea Simmons of CohenMalad, LLP are available for further comment.
Resources
- Bishop Luers Complaint | filed January 21, 2025
- Bishop Luers Lawsuit Press Release | January 21, 2025
Potential Victims
All 38 female victims appear to be current or recent past students of Bishop Luers High School.
Evidentiary materials discovered in our firm’s investigation lead attorneys to believe that half of the victims have not yet been notified by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend or Bishop Luers.
If you have concerns that you or your child may have potentially been victimized in this manner, please contact our Bishop Luers lawsuit legal team for a free, confidential inquiry.
