Union City School District Faces Another Lawsuit: Alleges Widespread School Sexual Misconduct

Union City is facing growing public pressure after a civil lawsuit was filed by a former student alleging sexual abuse by a teacher and broader failures by school officials to protect students.

The lawsuit centers on allegations that former math teacher Francisco Lindo groomed and sexually abused the student while she was a minor. According to the claims, Lindo later lost his teaching certification and served time in prison in connection with the relationship.

The complaint also names several other educators and administrators, alleging that some school staff knew about or failed to act on reports of misconduct at the time. The lawsuit asserts that systemic failures within the school district allowed abuse and harassment to continue.

Community members are now demanding immediate action. Some residents and activists are calling for the suspension of any teachers still employed by Union City schools who are named in the lawsuit until a full investigation is completed.

Among the individuals identified in public discussions surrounding the case are teachers who are currently working at Union City High School, including physics teacher Craig Lapierre, biology teacher Gregory Campbell, and history teacher George Morales, who is also reportedly involved in student leadership programs such as Peer Group Connection and Student Council. These programs often meet after school hours, which critics say raises additional concerns about student supervision.

Others named in connection with the historical allegations include teacher Mark Ryan, former teachers Dennis McMullen and Steve Hanak (possibly known to be the brother of former Union City Police Chief and current Director of School Security Paul Hanak), and administrators who were in leadership roles at the time the alleged incidents occurred.

Attention has also turned to district leadership. Former Superintendent Stanley Sanger, who oversaw the school system during the period referenced in the lawsuit, later retired and reportedly went on to hold other public positions.

Silvia Abbato, who served as an assistant superintendent during the time of the alleged incidents, is now the district’s superintendent.

Public pressure is also mounting on Union City Mayor Brian Stack, with some residents demanding that he issue an immediate public statement addressing the allegations. Critics claim that long-standing political leadership in the city contributed to a culture that failed to adequately confront or prevent alleged misconduct in the school system. Some activists are even calling for the mayor’s resignation, alleging a decades-long pattern of protecting individuals accused of inappropriate behavior.

The controversy has intensified further following recent reporting by investigative journalist Leroy Truth, who has been publicly discussing past allegations involving current Assistant Principal Edwin Marinez who is also mentioned in the new lawsuit. According to interviews conducted by the journalist, three former students have come forward in recent months to describe their own alleged experiences. These claims have not been proven in court, but they have added to community concerns about student safety and accountability within the district.

As the lawsuit moves forward through the legal process, residents say they want transparency, independent investigations, and immediate safeguards for current students. School officials have not yet publicly addressed all of the specific allegations, and it remains unclear what administrative actions, if any, will be taken in response to the growing public outcry.

The case is expected to draw continued attention as legal proceedings unfold and as community members call for reforms aimed at strengthening oversight, reporting procedures, and student protections in Union City schools.