Lawsuit Alleges Elite Brooklyn School Ignored Warnings About Predatory Teacher
In a case that raises serious questions about institutional accountability, two teenage girls have filed a federal lawsuit against the prestigious Saint Ann's School in Brooklyn, its administrators, and a former teacher already serving a seven-year prison sentence. The suit alleges the school ignored repeated warnings about the teacher's predatory behavior, which included coercing nude photos from the minors and threatening to share them.
The civil complaint, filed in the Eastern District of New York, centers on former middle school math teacher Winston Nguyen, 39. Nguyen pleaded guilty last year to felony and misdemeanor charges related to soliciting sexually explicit photos and videos from victims aged 13 to 15. According to the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, he used Snapchat to pose as a teenage boy and target students from multiple elite independent schools.
However, the lawsuit contends the scandal extends beyond one individual. It claims Saint Ann's leadership was alerted in early 2024 that explicit images of young girls were circulating among students via Snapchat but failed to notify law enforcement. The complaint further states administrators knew of Nguyen's prior criminal history—involving financial exploitation—when they hired him in 2020, and were aware he slept on campus, gave students gifts, and searched for them on social media.
"The school ignored every warning sign and coddled a known predator," said the plaintiffs' attorney, Joshua Perry. He cited a 2024 internal investigation commissioned by the school, conducted by the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton, which reportedly substantiated these concerns. Perry asserts that parents and staff who raised alarms were dismissed or accused of being "racist or not progressive."
In a letter to the school community, Head of School Kenyatte Reid and Board President Mary Watson disputed the allegations, calling them "misrepresentations" and vowing to address the matter through legal channels. They expressed concern for "all victims impacted by Nguyen's actions."
The two plaintiffs, identified in court documents as Jane and Joan, were 13 when Nguyen allegedly coerced them. They were not students at Saint Ann's but believed he was a socially influential peer connected to the school. After they cut off contact, he allegedly shared their images with other students. Impact statements from the girls were read at Nguyen's sentencing, with one writing, "Photos of me as a naked preteen will forever be on the internet... You ruined my life."
This is not the first scandal to hit Saint Ann's, which charges over $60,000 in annual tuition and boasts high Ivy League acceptance rates. In 2019, the school acknowledged that 19 former staff members may have engaged in inappropriate behavior with students.
Reader Reactions:
Marcus Chen, Parent in Brooklyn: "This is a catastrophic failure of duty. When you charge that much in tuition, the bare minimum is providing a safe environment. The internal report findings are damning—this looks like a conscious choice to protect the institution's reputation over children."
Dr. Eleanor Vance, Child Safety Advocate: "The pattern is deeply troubling. It shows how 'progressive' credentials can be weaponized to silence legitimate concerns. The focus must shift from reputation management to transparent safeguarding protocols."
Rebecca Shaw, Alumna ('10): "I'm heartbroken and furious. We trusted that place. To hear they knew about his record and still let him have access to kids? It's unforgivable. They've betrayed every student and family who believed in their mission."
David Fischer, Education Policy Analyst: "This lawsuit could set a significant precedent for holding private institutions liable for negligent hiring and retention, especially when prior knowledge of risk is established. The legal definition of 'institutional negligence' may be tested here."