Lawsuit accuses Rowan Co. School board, superintendent, principal, of failing to investigate sexual abuse claims

ROWAN COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a Rowan County high school athlete who says she was the victim of sexual abuse by a coach.

According to the lawsuit, Andrew Zaheri was a teacher at rowan county high school and an assistant basketball coach.

He was put on administrative leave, and the investigation is now being handled by state police.

“They protected a sexual predator over a child. As a parent, as a person, it’s disappointment. It’s betrayal,” said one of the plaintiff’s attorneys, Jon Hollan.

The lawsuit names principal Jordan Mann and superintendent John Maxey as defendants saying they disregarded reports about Zaheri.

“It’s about holding the administrators in Rowan County accountable for ignoring alarming report after alarming report. In fact, they spent more time grading Zaheri 18 out of 22 points ‘Excellent!’ as a teacher than they did investigating the abuse of this young girl,” said one of the plaintiff’s attorneys, Jonathan Fanning.

The suit also names Andrew Zaheri, the former teacher and coach, who was indicted on more than 23 felony counts for his alleged sexual relationship with the student. The charges include multiple counts of rape and sodomy.

“All the records that have been produced thus far make it clear both the Superintendent and the Principal were aware of each and every one of these allegations for several months before all for this came to light unfortunately in February of this year with Zaheri’s arrest,” said Hollan.

Hollan and Fannin allege Mann and Maxey had received the same and repeated reports about the questionable behavior. The suit alleges Zaheri was the only one ever questioned, and Jane Doe’s parents were never notified.

When asked, Superintendent Maxey says the district does not comment on pending litigation.

The district has not commented on the lawsuit.

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