Francisco Realpe, a former teacher at Union City High School, has been accused of sexually assaulting a student in 2004, according to a lawsuit filed this month. This is the second sexual assault suit filed against him.
The new suit was filed in Hudson County Superior Court on July 8. The plaintiff, who was a student at the time and is identified only as Jane Doe, alleged that Realpe frequently engaged in “sexually explicit and flirtatious conversations with female students at the school.”
Realpe was a physical education and sex education teacher during this time, as well as a coach.
Alleged sexual assault at ‘Polls Night’
In the spring semester of 2004, Jane Doe attended “Polls Night,” an after school social event where students voted on titles to award to various students. This event was held in the gymnasium of the high school, and Realpe was one of the chaperones.
During this event, Realpe allegedly approached Jane Doe and told her to go into the boys’ locker room, giving her the keys, according to the lawsuit. Shortly thereafter, Jane Doe entered the boys’ locker room, where Realpe was already present.
Realpe allegedly pushed her against the lockers, pulled her dress up, and vaginally penetrated her with his penis while she cried. After ejaculating, Realpe instructed Jane Doe to make sure than no one saw her as she left the locker room, the lawsuit alleges.
According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe suffered assault, battery, negligence, gross negligence/recklessness from the school district, and was discriminated against due to her gender. She is also seeking to “pierce the corporate veil” and prevent Realpe’s finances from being handled by his private company, Pivotal Developments, LLC.
Also named in the suit is his company, Union City High School, and the Union City Board of Education. The board does not comment on ongoing litigation.
Earlier lawsuit
Another lawsuit against Realpe was filed by former student Jessica Garcia in April.
On or about 2004, Realpe was one of Garcia’s coaches. According to the lawsuit, at this time Realpe allegedly routinely and openly engaged in “sexually explicit and flirtatious conversations with female students at the school.”
One evening at school after a softball practice in the spring, Realpe allegedly engaged in another such conversation with Garcia. Afterward, Realpe allegedly began kissing Garcia, according to the lawsuit. He allegedly took her into his secluded office where he allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with her, which was extremely painful and caused her to bleed profusely, the lawsuit states.
In the Spring or Summer of 2004, Garcia and her friend M.C. were at Garcia’s family residence while her parents were away when Realpe came over to the residence. While the three were watching television, Realpe allegedly began to kiss and undress M.C., according to the lawsuit.
Later in the summer of 2004, a group of minors were at the residence of the Garcia family while her parents were away. Realpe arrived at Garcia’s residence with alcohol that he allegedly provided to the students there. According to the lawsuit, later that night, Realpe allegedly locked himself in a room with another minor, M.B.
In the lawsuit, Garcia alleges sexual abuse of a minor, negligence, gross negligence/recklessness, and gender discrimination.
The lawsuit also names the Union City Board of Education, as well as John Does 1-10, and John Does Inc. 1-10. According to the lawsuit, the John Does are described as “unidentified individuals who were negligent or otherwise responsible for the damages to plaintiff.” John Does Inc. is described as “unidentified corporate, municipal, charitable, or other legal entities who were negligent or otherwise responsible for the damages to plaintiff.”
Multiple charges
On Feb. 3, 2020, Realpe was arrested on charges he allegedly sexually assaulted a 17-year-old female student at Dickinson High School in Jersey City, where he taught health and physical education.
For his alleged involvement in the November 2019 incident, Realpe was charged with aggravated sexual assault, a second-degree crime; criminal sexual contact, a fourth-degree crime; and endangering the welfare of a child, a second-degree crime.
On Feb. 21, 2020, Realpe was arrested on charges he allegedly sexually assaulted another 17-year-old female student in 2004 when he taught at Union City High School, then Union Hill High School.
Realpe has been charged with sexual assault, a second-degree crime.
The above charges are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].
