Lawsuit accuses Andalusia coach, principal of sexual misconduct with student

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - A lawsuit filed in federal court alleges a student was sexually assaulted by the head basketball coach and was subjected to sexual harassment by the principal while at Andalusia High School.

The Andalusia City Schools Board of Education, Superintendent Ted Watson and Andalusia High School Principal Daniel Shakespeare are named as defendants in a Title IX lawsuit filed on Friday in Alabama’s Middle District. Title IX prohibits sex discrimination by an educational program that receives federal funding.

The complaint states school officials chose to hire former basketball coach Anthony Clark, 50, despite their knowledge he engaged in inappropriate relationships with students and teaching assistants in previous positions at other schools.

The lawsuit states the conduct continued at Andalusia High School with the student during the 2017-2018 school year while the student was 17 and 18 years old.

The lawsuit explicitly describes alleged sexual encounters between Clark and the student on and off campus. During the school day Clark would allegedly send the student a code word, which meant for them to meet for sex.

Click for full article