Buffalo Public Schools officials have quietly settled a dozen Child Victims Act lawsuits for a total of $1.37 million, with an additional 11 cases against the district still active in the state court system.
Two women used their names when, in 2019, they filed lawsuits arguing Ken-Ton officials should have known that Michael Indian and Joseph Sutton were a threat to students and the district didn’t do enough to keep them safe from abuse. A third plaintiff sued anonymously in 2021.
The settlements with former students who accused the district of failing decades ago to prevent teachers or school staff from sexually abusing them ranged in size from $33,000 to $305,000.
The Buffalo School Board most recently approved three settlements on Nov. 15 involving reported abuse by Frederick D. Ganter, who served as principal of Lafayette High School from 1972 until his retirement in 1997.
Ganter, 83, who now lives in Florida, admitted in deposition testimony that he had sexual contact with male students during his time as principal. He did not respond Friday to a voice message seeking comment.
A 48-year-old Kenmore man who accused Ganter of fondling him and engaging in sexual activity with him in 1990 and 1991 when he was 15 and 16 received $170,000 from the district…
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