Two billboards situated along South Golden State Boulevard are raising questions about potential litigation against the Turlock Unified School District.
The billboards provide the phone number of the Vartazarian Law Firm in Calabasas, and assure confidential legal help for anyone who may have been assaulted by a former Turlock Unified School District employee.
“We are aware of the signs that have recently appeared in our community,” said Marie Russell, TUSD’s director of communications, family engagement, and outreach. “However, the district has no knowledge of the specific purpose they are intended to serve. TUSD takes all concerns involving student and employee safety seriously. To date, we have not been contacted by any agency or law firm regarding these signs.”
Attorney Sarkis Yenikomshuyan of the Vartazarian firm said a civil complaint has been filed in Stanislaus County Superior Court, but declined to specify the plaintiff, defendant, or the nature of the case.
“All I can tell you is that there have been rumblings of sexual assault by a former TUSD employee,” said Yenikomshuyan. “We wanted to know if more victims wanted to speak out, and reach out to us, and see if there’s anything we can do to help them.”
The civil lawsuit is one of 11 active civil filings against TUSD in Stanislaus County Superior Court, though none of the 11 involves assault or battery against students or employees of the district, according to a review of documents.
Assembly Bill 218, passed in 2019, amended the law pertaining to civil lawsuits for recovery of damages from alleged childhood sexual abuse. It extends the statute of limitations for commencement of civil actions by 14 years. These actions may now be filed within 22 years of when a plaintiff reaches the age of 40 or within five years of when the plaintiff discovers (or reasonably should have discovered) that his or her psychological injury (occurring after the age of 40) were caused by the childhood sexual assault.
“That (AB 218) has a small factor in this,” said Yenikomshuyan. Very small. Minimal.”
The billboards are located on the northbound side of South Golden State Boulevard, where it crosses above South First Street.