Alarming Mismanagement of Sexual Abuse Cases in Los Angeles-Area School District

A school district in the Los Angeles area has been accused of “consistently mishandling” complaints related to widespread sexual abuse by teachers and coaches. Reports indicate that the El Monte Union High School District concealed information from state regulators regarding the abuse, harassment, and grooming of minors.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated on Friday that the district has “systematically” violated state laws regarding allegations of child sexual abuse, mishandling 113 cases over several decades.

Multiple lawsuits have emerged due to concealed cases of sexual abuse. One notable case involves a wrestling coach who allegedly molested male students during practices, while a special education teacher reportedly sent nude photos to an autistic girl.

“In more than 100 cases, we found that school districts did not conduct investigations in accordance with the law,” Bonta mentioned during a press conference. He also highlighted that, in some cases, there was no evidence of required reports made by staff members regarding sexual abuse, allowing offenders to continue their abusive behavior.

The findings stem from a comprehensive study conducted over seven years, from 2018 to 2025. Under California law, school employees are classified as “mandated reporters,” meaning they are required to report any child sexual abuse allegations immediately to the authorities.

Instead of following these regulations, it appears that the authorities in El Monte fostered a “toxic” environment where such abuses were hidden. Nine former students from Rosemead High School filed a lawsuit in 2024, claiming mistreatment by district staff.

Some of the troubling allegations include those from an autistic girl, who stated that she suffered sexual harassment from special education teacher Edwin Reyes Villegas. In another instance, three former students accused wrestling coach Herbert Ortiz Monroy of repeatedly abusing boys. They suggested that a “culture of sexual abuse and harassment” within the district actively discouraged reporting.

Monroy, recognized as Coach Ortiz, was sentenced to prison in 2013 after pleading no contest to charges involving lewd acts on a child.

In response to these serious allegations, the city of El Monte has reached a legal settlement that mandates four years of state oversight. El Monte Union High School Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga emphasized, “The safety and well-being of our students remains our top priority,” suggesting that this agreement demonstrates their commitment to fostering safe and respectful learning environments.