A sweeping lawsuit against Sonoma Academy continues to make its way through the court system, more than two years after former female students of the prestigious Santa Rosa college prep high school came forward with allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct by faculty members.
The civil complaint, filed in December 2022, has become one of the most detailed and explosive legal actions in a series of lawsuits that allege decades of abuse at the hands of the school’s staff. The case has left the community in shock and disbelief, as former students recount their traumatic experiences.
Allegations Against Sonoma Academy Faculty Members
The lawsuit accuses former Sonoma Academy humanities teachers Marco Morrone and Adrian Belic of engaging in inappropriate conduct with students, including grooming, touching, and, in Belic’s case, sexual assault. The complaint also names two administrators—former head of school Janet Durgin and assistant head of school Ellie Dwight—as well as other unnamed individuals.
The allegations span nearly two decades, dating back to the early 2000s, and involve numerous students. According to the lawsuit, Morrone is accused of inappropriate behavior toward at least 34 students over his 18-year tenure at Sonoma Academy. Morrone reportedly “self-revoked” his teaching credential in 2022 while the allegations were still pending. Meanwhile, Belic, a filmmaker and former film course instructor, is accused of fostering a sexual relationship with two students in 2004.
In addition to the allegations against Morrone and Belic, the lawsuit claims that the school’s administration, including Durgin and Dwight, failed to act on multiple warnings about the abuse. Instead of protecting students, the lawsuit suggests that administrators engaged in a cover-up of the incidents, further enabling the abuse to continue for years.
Investigations and Findings At Sonoma Academy
Much of the lawsuit is based on the findings of an independent investigation, commissioned by Sonoma Academy and conducted by a New York-based law firm. The 49-page report, made public in November 2021, concluded that Morrone had engaged in inappropriate conduct with numerous students. The report detailed instances of sexual misconduct, grooming, and coercive behavior.
However, despite the investigation’s findings, the lawsuit alleges that the school failed to take adequate action. The plaintiffs claim that the school ignored clear warning signs, enabling a culture of abuse to persist unchecked.
Impact on the Santa Rosa Community
The revelations have had a devastating impact on the Sonoma Academy community. Former students have expressed anger and betrayal, as they believed they were in a safe environment only to discover that the very institution they trusted had failed to protect them from abuse. The case has ignited a wider conversation about the failure of schools and institutions to adequately address allegations of sexual misconduct and the culture of silence that often surrounds these issues.
In interviews, former students described how they were manipulated, coerced, and sexually assaulted by faculty members. The lawsuit also highlights the emotional and psychological toll the abuse has taken on the victims, some of whom are still grappling with the effects of their trauma.
Legal Process and Continuing Investigation
While the case continues to progress through the legal system, there is still much to be done. The lawsuit remains in litigation, and the legal team is committed to fighting for justice on behalf of the survivors. There have been several case management conferences this spring, with another conference scheduled for May 13.
The school’s administrators have refrained from making public comments, but the school did send out an email to the Emerge community acknowledging the case and outlining measures to enhance safety in the wake of the allegations. The email expressed hope that the legal process would bring some measure of justice and help with the healing process for all involved.
What You Can Do If You’ve Been Abused at Sonoma Academy
The survivors of sexual abuse and misconduct at Sonoma Academy are not alone in their fight for justice. If you were a victim of sexual abuse or harassment by a teacher, administrator, or staff member at Sonoma Academy, you may be entitled to compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. Even if you haven’t come forward yet, Helping Survivors is here to help you navigate the legal process and pursue justice.
We specialize in representing survivors of sexual abuse in educational settings, including cases involving teachers, administrators, and other trusted figures. Whether you were abused at Sonoma Academy or another institution, we can help you understand your legal rights and guide you through the process of filing a civil lawsuit.
If you are a survivor, we encourage you to come forward and seek the support and justice you deserve. Your voice matters, and you don’t have to face this journey alone.
Contact Helping Survivors today for a free consultation. We are here to support you every step of the way.
