A former student at Clearwater Central Catholic High has filed a lawsuit against the school and its former wrestling coach, Scott Stern, for misconduct and abuse.
The complaint was filed on September 9 and the former student is seeking damages in excess of $15,000.
He says that he has suffered severe emotional distress following two years of physical and psychological abuse from the former wrestling coach.
According to jail records, Scott Stern served time in jail from August 4, 2015 to October 4, 2015 for two counts of battery.
Stern was accused of hitting two Clearwater Central Catholic students after making them take off their clothes in 2014. It is unclear if the plaintiff in the newly filed lawsuit is one of the two boys involved in the 2014 case.
According to the plaintiff, Clearwater Catholic chose Stern as the school employee who took care and monitored the "problem students," the "at risk" students and the students who had known or suspected drug problems.
The former student, named "John Doe" in court documents, was enrolled at the school from 2012 to 2014 and was a member of the wrestling team, coached by Stern.
Stern reportedly physically, emotionally, and sexually abused "John Doe" on the grounds of the school beginning in 2013.
The plaintiff says he was required and "taught" to perform sexual activities for the Coach, which Stern would watch and critique. It is also noted that "John Doe" was not the only student with whom Coach Stern reportedly wrongfully used his position of authority and control on.
Clearwater Central Catholic is being accused of negligence for giving Stern the opportunity to commit the actions which have caused the plaintiff physical harm, emotional distress, mental anguish, mental pain, suffering and shame which continue to this day.
