A sexual harassment lawsuit brought forward by a West Hollywood resident against former L.A. schools Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines was dismissed late last week.
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled that LAUSD real estate manager Scot Graham failed to file the case within the time limit allowed for sexual harassment litigation. The judge did not rule on the merits of the lawsuit.
Graham, 56, accused Cortines of making unwanted sexual advances toward him during a weekend trip in July 2010 to Cortines’ vacation cabin in Tulare County.
Cortines, 80, retired in 2011. He admitted to meeting with Graham and to showing bad judgement, but called the incident consensual.
Graham had also previously filed a $10 million claim against the Los Angeles Unified School District, alleging officials of defaming him and failing to protect him. He tentatively settled for $200,000, lifetime health benefits, along with his own resignation, but the deal unraveled after L.A. Unified announced the deal before the papers were signed. Graham’s attorneys alleged the publicity led to more harm and sought additional compensation. The deal subsequently fell apart, and Graham eventually returned to work.
