Schools

Settlement Reached in Lawsuit of Long Branch BOE, Ferraina

The Long Branch BOE's insurance carrier will pay $600,000 to a former district employee.

By Christopher Sheldon

A settlement has been reached in the lawsuit brought against the Long Branch Board of Education (BOE) and former superintendent Joseph Ferraina.

"A tentative settlement has been reached among the parties involved in the lawsuit brought by former employee Adele Russo against the Long Branch Board of  Education," Long Branch School District Superintendent Michael Salvatore said in a statement. "The settlement (will) be paid in full by the Board's insurance carrier, Zurich, in the amount of 600,000.00 inclusive of legal fees and additional costs."

Salvatore said the settlement was reached on Jan. 24 under the guidance of Judge Dennis O'Brien of Monmouth County Superior Court.

Ferraina's former secretary, Adele Russo, sued Ferraina and the Long Branch Board of Education in 2011, alleging several sexual offenses.

Last year, an arbitrator said the BOE and Ferraina should pay Russo $4.5 million. However, Ferraina filed a trial a trial de novo which rendered the arbitrator's ruling moot. 

A grand jury opted not to indict Ferraina on criminal charges on June 14.

"This allows the district to move forward and continue focusing on what matters most, our children," Salvatore said.


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