Los Angeles, CA: Paul Mones, P.C. announced today that they have sued Yeshiva University High School of Los Angeles (YULA) on behalf of a former student who alleges he was sexually assaulted by former YULA school counselor Julie Tichon. The lawsuit was filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The complaint alleges that the sexual abuse began in about 2020 when their client was a freshman and continued through in or around 2024 when he graduated from the school. Tichon was employed as counselor, coach, administrator, and teacher with the title of “Director of Academic Support” at YULA.
Plaintiff alleges that the sexual harassment and abuse began after YULA directed him to meet with Tichon to provide academic support related to his ADHD. In the lawsuit, Plaintiff alleges that the sexual abuse included, but was not limited to, Tichon describing her sexual encounters with men in pornographic detail, Tichon sending Plaintiff nude and pornographic videos of herself in which she exposed her genitals, and Tichon orally copulating Plaintiff.
On August 29, 2024, Tichon was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of at least one minor YULA student. Tichon’s criminal case is currently pending before the Los Angeles County Superior Court and includes charges related to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and oral copulation of a minor.
Attorney Paul Mones said, “It is a school’s obligation to protect its students from teachers who abuse their positions of authority to exploit a student’s trust.”
Among other things, the lawsuit alleges that YULA failed to supervise Tichon in her position and failed to take reasonable measures to prevent sexual assault and harassment of minors, including Plaintiff.
The Complaint asks for a jury trial, appropriate statutory damages, and costs. Copies of the Complaint will be made available on request.