LOS ANGELES, CA – A new lawsuit has surfaced alleging widespread sexual abuse at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, just a day after a $3.5 million settlement was reached in a case involving a former school official accused of sexual misconduct.
The lawsuit, announced by attorney Jeff Anderson, claims that Mater Dei employed 13 individuals identified as sexual predators over several decades, enabling a pattern of abuse and deception. Anderson, known for handling high-profile sexual abuse cases, described the allegations as reflective of “the breadth and depth of the debauchery and deception” at the prestigious Catholic high school. A press conference was held Wednesday to further detail the claims.
Settlement Reached in Michael Harris Case
The legal action follows the announcement of a multimillion-dollar settlement reached with a man who alleged he was sexually abused by Michael Harris, a former priest and vice principal at Mater Dei. Harris, who has faced multiple allegations of abuse, was removed from priestly duties in the 1990s.
The Diocese of Orange, which oversees Mater Dei, had previously indicated that it was prepared to take the case to trial. In a statement, the Diocese emphasized that the settlement was reached to avoid prolonged litigation and noted that the $3.5 million payout was fully funded by its insurers.
“The Diocese vigorously defended this decades-old claim and was prepared to take it to trial,” the statement read. “However, all parties—the plaintiff, the Diocese’s insurers, and the Diocese—agreed that a pre-trial settlement was most beneficial to everyone involved.”
The lawsuit filed by Anderson’s firm alleges systemic abuse spanning decades, implicating numerous school staff members. The legal filing claims Mater Dei and the Diocese failed to act to protect students, instead prioritizing the protection of the school’s reputation.
“These were not isolated incidents,” Anderson said during the press conference. “This was a culture of concealment and complicity, with children’s lives and futures left to suffer the consequences.”
Diocese’s Position
The Diocese has denied any institutional culpability related to these new allegations but reaffirmed its commitment to addressing abuse claims. “In all claims alleging child sexual abuse, the Diocese is committed to seeking justice, fostering healing, and providing unwavering support for survivors,” the statement read.
The allegations against Mater Dei come amid heightened scrutiny of institutions tied to the Catholic Church. The case is expected to proceed through civil court, with Anderson and his team pledging to uncover what they describe as a history of negligence and abuse.
This latest lawsuit places Mater Dei at the center of another high-profile controversy, raising questions about the school’s handling of past allegations and its protocols for safeguarding students. The Diocese has yet to comment on whether it will launch an independent investigation into the claims.
