City Settles for $125K over Lawsuit with Vindicated Teacher

A Connecticut school board has approved what could amount to a $125,000 settlement with a teacher who was cleared of allegations he viewed child pornography on a school computer.

Paul Cavagnero, chairman of the Torrington school board, says board members will now negotiate the settlement amount with the school system’s insurance company, which is expected to pay most of the cost.

Torrington middle school teacher Matthew Valenti sued school officials in federal court in 2007, saying his rights were violated when details of the allegations were made public.

Valenti was cleared of wrongdoing after investigations by the school system, city police and the state Department of Children and Families.