Audrie Pott's Family Fires Back Against Saratoga School Officials
SARATOGA (KCBS) — The family of the Saratoga High School student who committed suicide after an alleged sexual assault expressed anger and resentment over a statement issued by the school district.
Attorney Robert Allard, who is representing Audrie Pott's family, said the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District is denying responsibility for her suicide after the alleged assault. Three teens have been charged in the case, two of them were on the school's football team.
Allard said it's clear from the four-page statement issued by the school district that they are more focused on liability concerns and protecting their image than in taking responsibility. He also called the statement slap in the family's face.
Family Fires Back Against School In Denial Of Responsibly For Saratoga Student's Suicide
"We've seen over and over again, across the country in the past couple of years ranging from Penn State to U.S.A. Swimming, to the Catholic Church to Boy Scouts of America, that institutions are releasing self-serving statements in what appears to be a self-protection mode and in the process the victims suffer," Allard said. "Their families suffer because the truth isn't coming out."
The Pott's attorney also disputed the district's claim that neither Audrie nor her parents raised the issue of bullying.
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Statement From School Officials (.pdf)
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"We strongly dispute the district's claim that no prior complaint of bullying was made because it indeed was made through the parents in the spring of 2012." Allard said.
The school has not responded to phone calls from KCBS as of Thursday afternoon. A claim has been filed against the district by the family, which is a precursor to a lawsuit.
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