A former Pomona High School student who said she was raped at age 16 by her coach was awarded $35 million in damages Tuesday by a Los Angeles County Superior Court jury.
The woman is one of eight who in the past two years have sued the Pomona Unified School District and a handful of men who coached at Pomona High School, some of whom still coach at other schools. Her allegations have included sexual harassment, sexual abuse and rape.
The woman is now in her 40s and was identified in court documents as Jane Doe No. 4. The plaintiff said she was raped by her former coach, Herman Hopson, in 1997 while she was at a school track meet in Nevada.
Others who have been sued include Brian Crichlow, now the women's basketball coach at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut; Derrick Pugh; and former Pomona Ganesha High girls basketball coach Vincent Spirlin.
Their accusers — former cheerleaders, students and student athletes — have alleged that in incidents in the 1990s, men confided in them, spent time with them and shared personal stories, sometimes openly flirting and engaging in sexually charged conversations.
Those actions, they say, eventually led to underage drinking, encouraged and facilitated by coaches, as well as sexual abuse and, in the case of Jane Doe No. 4, rape.
“It's just incredible the number of women who have filed lawsuits against these men, these trainers,” said attorney John Taylor, of Manhattan Beach-based Taylor & Ring, who represents Jane Doe No. 4. “The most incredible thing “The proof is the bravery of these women. It has been brutal for them.”
Jane Doe No. 4 was a member of the Pomona High School track team in the spring of 2017 when the team traveled to Las Vegas for a competition. She argued with Kitrick Taylor, a former NFL player who was the team's head coach, about some aspect of the game the night before the team returned to its home in Los Angeles County.
Hopson, an assistant trainer, recommended that Jane Doe No. 4 visit him in his room at the Days Inn Motel to discuss the issue, according to court documents.
In the room, an intoxicated Hopson kissed the girl, removed her clothes and forced himself on her, according to the documents. Hopson first penetrated Jane Doe No. 4 with his fingers before using her genitals, the documents say.
Upon the team's return home, Jane Doe No. 4 reported the incident to the school's principal, Gloria Russo, according to court documents. Russo told her “not to talk to anyone about this” and that the administrator “would take care of it.”
But Jane Doe No. 4 said she was subsequently subjected to verbal harassment by Kitrick Taylor, as well as classmates and teammates.
“Former Pomona High students testified that the abuse was so rampant,” said attorney John Taylor, “that 'everyone on campus knew' the coaches were taking advantage of the girls, but nothing was done.”
As a result of the alleged harassment, Jane Doe No. 4 moved out of state at the end of the school year.
Kitrick Taylor was not questioned by police or disciplined for his actions, according to court documents.
John Taylor said that before the lawsuits, none of the coaches faced consequences. No criminal charges were filed against the men. The attorney said Spirlin was still employed by the school district. Public records confirmed that Spirlin was still an employee of Pomona Unified in 2022.
Calls and an email sent to the district Tuesday seeking comment were not immediately returned.
Pomona Unified Superintendent. Darren Knowles issued a statement Tuesday saying the current administration only learned of the 1990s allegations in 2018.
“Upon receiving this information, we immediately contacted authorities and a full investigation was conducted,” he said. “Law enforcement decided not to prosecute.”
Knowles said the school implementation of student training and safeguards including mandatory annual training for reporters, training for administrators on how to prevent sexual harassment, and better monitoring of athletic and activity programs and directors.
Taylor, the attorney, said the measures came too late to save his plaintiffs.
“Administrators and staff were aware of the sexually abusive behavior of several coaches, including Herman Hopson,” he said.
The Jane Doe No. 4 verdict is the first publicly disclosed financial settlement. Jane Doe Nos. 1, 2 and 8 previously settled lawsuits with the district. Jane Doe No. 3 also reached a settlement on Jan. 16, according to Taylor.
Jane Doe lawsuits Nos. 5, 6 and 7 are still pending.
