CHICAGO, IL – Today, attorneys from Disparti Law Group and the Karlin Law Firm, LLC announced a $2 million settlement in the case of three young boys who were groomed and sexually abused by Andrew Castro, a former gym teacher at Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary School in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago.
More than 2,000 cases have been brought to the Chicago Public School Office of the Inspector General Sexual Allegations Unit (SAU) since its inception. In their report to the Chicago Board of Education, dated in February of 2024, the SAU noted that reports of sexual abuse rose 12% this year.
“It is not acceptable that there is a single case of sexual abuse in our school system,” stated Larry Disparti, Founder of Disparti Law Group, one of the law firms that handled the case. “Our children deserve better.”
Andrew Castro, a gym teacher at Lorca Elementary, is currently facing criminal charges in Cook County. For years, Castro groomed and abused these three boys during and after school hours.
But today is not the conclusion of this case. It only “marks a significant and positive milestone in a long and painful journey toward healing and recovery,” remarked Patrycja Karlin of the Karlin Law Firm, LLC, who also represented the family.
“Our kids need to grow up in schools that create a love for learning and foster curiosity, and in schools where teachers, administrators and coaches are role models and not predators,” stated Bob Fioretti at today’s press conference.
This case is one of several cases that have come into the Disparti Law Group as part of their Sexual Abuse Hotline – a special line that allows parents of abused children to call and speak directly, and confidentially, with an attorney that specializes in abuse cases. Parents of any child who may have been groomed or abused can call (312) 506-1235 for help.
