Liakos Law, APC represented five women who were sexually abused by their high school English teacher, Garry Poe, in a case against Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District in a trial that began on August 11, 2025. The jury awarded $13.6 million, holding the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District (PVPUSD) responsible for failing to protect our clients from sexual abuse at the hands of their teacher at Rolling Hills High School. The landmark verdict sends a powerful message about institutional accountability and the importance of protecting students—even after graduation.
Abuse Disguised as Mentorship
The case revealed a disturbing pattern in which the teacher groomed students during the school year by cultivating relationships of trust, mentorship, and favoritism. The abuse escalated after graduation, during a five-week European tour that the teacher chaperoned annually, along with other faculty members employed by PVPUSD.
On these trips – meant to be educational and celebratory – the teacher provided alcohol to students and used the informal atmosphere to manipulate and sexually abuse vulnerable young women who had only recently graduated.
Complicity and Inaction
Adding to the trauma, a second adult chaperone, Mr. Jerry Kestenberg, a fellow teacher at Rolling Hills, was made aware of the teacher’s inappropriate behavior and advances. However, he dismissed the concerns, telling one of the women that the Mr. Poe was simply being “fatherly” and warned her not to “destroy” his life by coming forward. This culture of silence and minimization allowed the abuse to continue unchecked.
Jury Finds District Negligent
After hearing extensive testimony and reviewing evidence of the district’s failure to supervise and intervene, the Torrance jury found the school district negligent, awarding a total of $13.6 million to the five plaintiffs. The case underscores the duty of schools and administrators not only to protect students, but to take concerns of misconduct seriously.
A Step Toward Healing
Our firm was honored to represent these brave women in their pursuit of justice and we were overwhelmed by the bravery it took to stand up for themselves is this public forum. Attorney Jenn Liakos, who led the trial team, said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times:
“Our clients feel validated by the verdict.”
This case represents more than just a legal victory—it is a crucial step toward healing for the survivors, and a warning to institutions that failing to act on signs of abuse can have devastating consequences.
Standing With Survivors
We are proud to support survivors of institutional abuse and are committed to holding those in power accountable when they fail to protect the vulnerable. If you or someone you know has experienced abuse in an educational or institutional setting, please know that you are not alone. Our legal team is here to help.
This case was covered in the [Los Angeles Times].
