Two former students, along with the sister of one of the students, have filed a civil lawsuit against Sarah Lawrence College in New York City, accusing the institution of failing to protect them from Lawrence “Larry” Ray.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court last month, claims that the college’s negligence allowed Ray, an ex-convict, to move into his daughter’s campus housing and engage in years of abuse, manipulation, and exploitation.
Legal Battle Unveils Allegations of Negligence
The plaintiffs allege that Sarah Lawrence College did little to address the fact that Ray had moved into his daughter’s housing in 2010, where he remained on campus while committing acts of manipulation, grooming, sexual abuse, food deprivation, and sleep deprivation.
The lawsuit contends that college officials ignored complaints about Ray’s behavior, even as multiple students, community members, and parents raised concerns.
Lawrence “Larry” Ray was convicted in April 2022 on charges including racketeering, conspiracy, forced labor, and sex trafficking. The conviction followed testimony detailing Ray’s manipulative relationships with young people within his daughter’s social circle.
After serving time for securities fraud, Ray had moved into his daughter’s dormitory at Sarah Lawrence, a move that ultimately led to his conviction and a 60-year prison sentence in January 2023.
A spokesperson for Sarah Lawrence College expressed “deep sympathy” for Ray’s victims but refrained from commenting on the ongoing litigation, asserting that the facts would reveal a different story than the allegations made in the complaint.
The plaintiffs argue that the college allowed Ray, then 50 years old, to integrate himself into the lives of young people in the dormitory without adequate intervention. Despite complaints from students, community members, and parents about Ray’s abusive behavior, the college allegedly took no action to investigate or prevent harm to the plaintiffs.
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New York College’s Examination of Institutional Responsibility for Student Safety
The lawsuit also highlights an incident where Ray, living in the dorm for nearly an entire academic year, triggered a fire alarm by cooking a meal.
The former students seek unspecified damages for pain and suffering, health care costs, and lost potential income. The lawsuit underscores the need for accountability and raises questions about the responsibility of educational institutions in safeguarding students from potential threats.
The lawsuit against Sarah Lawrence College sheds light on the serious allegations of negligence, abuse, and manipulation within the institution.
As legal proceedings unfold, the case raises broader questions about the duty of colleges and universities to ensure the safety and well-being of their students, particularly when faced with allegations of misconduct by individuals within their community.
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