New Mexico school district settles teacher sex abuse suits

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico school district has agreed to settlements of nearly $8 million from two out of three lawsuits filed against the district over sexual assault complaints involving a former teacher. The Albuquerque Journal reports that Espanola Public Schools settled the suits that claim 61-year-old Gary Gregor sexually abused female elementary school students and that the school did not report the teacher. The Fairview Elementary teacher was fired by the district in 2010, but he was accused of inappropriate behavior at schools in Utah, Montana and Santa Fe years before he was hired. Gregor awaits trial after charges of rape, kidnapping and sexual contact of a minor were filed in April. A third civil suit is pending in federal court. Attempts by the newspaper to contact school officials were unsuccessful. ___ Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com