Former Special Education Teacher’s Retaliation Lawsuit Against Pasadena School District Heads to Court

A Los Angeles County Superior Court is scheduled to hold a motions hearing Friday, January 24 at 8:30 a.m. in a 2023 lawsuit filed by a former Pasadena special education teacher who claims he was forced to resign after reporting alleged misconduct at his school.

Benjamin Graves, who taught at Focus Point Academy, alleges in his lawsuit that the Pasadena Unified School District forced him to quit in 2022 after he spoke out claiming he knew of sexual harassment of women employees and falsification of attendance records by the school Principal.

Graves’ lawsuit, which seeks damages for wrongful termination and claims related to workplace retaliation and whistleblower protection, was filed against the Pasadena Unified School District in 2023.

Graves reportedly taught special education students at Focus Point Academy, which provided specialized education services within the Pasadena Unified School District, before his departure in 2022. His lawsuit contends he faced backlash and retaliation after reporting the alleged misconduct, ultimately leading to his forced resignation.

The allegations made in the lawsuit have not been determined in court, and the School District has not publicly responded to the claims.

The motions hearing will be held in Department 31 at the County Courthouse, located at 111 N. Hill St. in downtown Los Angeles.