Cretin-Derham Hall settles with student abused by teacher

By Kristi Belcamino
Pioneer Press
November 30, 2014

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_27040069/cretin-derham-hall-settles-student-abused-by-teacher

A settlement was reached last week between a St. Paul high school and a former student who claimed the school didn't protect him from sexual abuse by a teacher when he was a teen.

It was the second settlement in as many weeks in connection with the abuse. Two weeks ago, the teacher, Gail Gagne, settled a lawsuit with the student for a dollar, according to Gagne's attorney.

Cameron Clarkson, now 22, and in college, sued Cretin-Derham Hall, a private Catholic high school, claiming that he was sexually abused in 2008 by Gagne while he was 16.

Gagne was later was fired and convicted in 2011 of having sex with a student and ordered to register as a sex offender.

Gagne's attorney, Earl Gray, said Sunday night his client settled with Clarkson about two weeks ago for a dollar.

Last Monday, after pretrial motions, Cretin-Derham Hall's insurance company also settled with Clarkson.

Gagne's attorney said that the school settled its case for $75,000.

Dick Engler, president of Cretin-Derham Hall, said he could not verify the amount of the school's settlement. He said that the school was happy with the insurance company's decision.

"We were pleased with their work in this matter and we understand their need to move forward," he said Sunday night. "We are pleased that this is over."

Clarkson could not be reached Sunday night for comment on the settlement.

Earlier in November, Clarkson said Cretin-Derham mistreated him after the abuse came to light. He was overlooked for leadership positions and his concerns weren't taken seriously, he said.

At the beginning of his senior year, he said, someone smeared peanut butter on his car and wrote the teacher's name on his lawn.

"I'm severely allergic to peanut butter,' Clarkson said. 'My mom was crying and had to clean it up. That image stays with me. The worst part is, when I brought it to the police and the school, no one did anything."

The Pioneer Press does not usually name victims of sexual assault but is identifying Clarkson because he chose to speak out about his case.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.