(MN)
Star Tribune [Minneapolis MN]
February 14, 2024
By Louis Krauss
A Dakota County court is still considering claims of negligence and negligent supervision by the school stemming from allegations made by two recent graduates. By Louis Krauss Star Tribune FEBRUARY 14, 2024 — 5:47PM
Most of the claims were dismissed in a lawsuit against St. Thomas Academy, but two for alleged negligence and negligent supervision are still being considered in court.
A Dakota County judge has dismissed most of the seven claims made against St. Thomas Academy in a civil lawsuit by two graduates, who alleged they endured a “frat-like” school culture that administrators ignored.
However, the all-boys Catholic preparatory and military school in Mendota Heights isn’t out of the legal woods yet and still faces two remaining claims.
According to the suit filed in January 2023 in Dakota County District Court, plaintiffs Joseph Kolar and Tucker Bakko alleged they were groped by senior students while they were interviewed for possible school awards. The interviews were run solely by students and without supervision from former staff member Neil Hetherington, who oversaw the class. He retired in 2023.