2 former students sue University School, University Hospitals over alleged misconduct by ex-trainer

Описание: Two former University School students have filed a civil lawsuit accusing the school and University Hospitals of failing to protect them from what they describe as grooming, manipulation and sexual misconduct by former contracted athletic trainer Ryan Goughnour, according to a complaint filed in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

The lawsuit, filed Nov. 28, lists the plaintiffs as John Doe I and John Doe II. Both are identified as former students at the school’s Hunting Valley campus. The filing was anonymous due to the nature of the crimes.

The complaint alleges that Goughnour, who worked as an athletic trainer on the high school campus, groomed and engaged in sexual misconduct with the two students between 2021 and 2024. Attorneys for the plaintiffs say Goughnour was employed by University Hospitals and contracted with University School.

Goughnour, who was sentenced to three years in prison in June, is currently at the Grafton Correctional Institution after pleading guilty to attempted gross sexual imposition, disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, attempted disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and possessing criminal tools.

The suit claims University School staff and administrators "did not appropriately respond" to what it describes as multiple warning signs of inappropriate behavior.

"Individuals in positions of authority at University School who had the ability and responsibility to take corrective action did not appropriately respond to credible information that Goughnour was unfit to work in a school setting and had developed inappropriate relationships with students," reads the filing.

The filing states that Goughnour began grooming John Doe 1 when he was a freshman and John Doe 2 when he was a sophomore. The grooming allegedly continued until Hunting Valley police were notified.

"University School’s staff and administrators took no steps to curtail the grooming until the Hunting Valley Police were contacted," claims the lawsuit.

The complaint also alleges the school allowed him to maintain a private office where students spent significant unsupervised time, noting that he designed it to attract young men to spend time there.

“This was not a situation involving subtle warning signs. Goughnour’s conduct was open and obvious,” said Andy Goldwasser of Ciano & Goldwasser, LLP, attorney for the plaintiffs. “Our clients are courageous young men who are standing up not only for themselves, but to help ensure no other student endures what they did.”

He reportedly encouraged students to come to his office, enticing them with food and candy. He allegedly hung lights and encouraged students to take naps in his gaming chairs in his office.

The lawsuit goes on to claim that before being hired by University Hospitals, Goughnour had been terminated by John Carroll University for issues involving drugs and student relationships.

The plaintiffs accuse Goughnour of a wide range of inappropriate conduct, including sending explicit messages, touching them without consent, providing alcohol and nicotine products and exposing himself. The filing claims some actions occurred on school grounds and in the view of staff.

Plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages in an amount to be determined by the jury in excess of $25,000, plus attorneys' fees, costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and any other relief that is deemed just and equitable.

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