Brett Kimmel, the former principal of Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS) in Manhattan, has been accused of sexually abusing a student over several years, according to a federal lawsuit recently filed in Manhattan. The student, now living in Maryland, alleges that Kimmel subjected her to repeated abuse that began when she was in eighth grade and escalated throughout her high school years. The lawsuit claims that Kimmel, under the guise of mentoring, groomed the girl by frequently calling her affectionate names like “princess” and “baby.” His behavior progressed from inappropriate text messages to serious sexual misconduct, including groping, coercing her into performing oral sex and attempting to have intercourse with her just before her 18th birthday.
The lawsuit outlines how Kimmel abused his position of power, regularly taking the student on car rides to and from school, where much of the alleged sexual contact occurred. Despite the student’s older sister confronting him about his inappropriate communications in the summer of 2012, Kimmel continued the predatory relationship. The lawsuit also claims that Kimmel maintained daily contact through texts and emails, bombarding the student with messages of a sexual and manipulative nature, even after being warned to stop.
The student asserts that the New York City Department of Education (DOE) played a role in enabling the abuse through negligent oversight. The lawsuit argues that the DOE failed to properly train staff to identify warning signs of grooming and abuse and ignored feedback from students about Kimmel’s conduct. Despite his misconduct allegedly spanning several years, no official complaints were filed against Kimmel during his tenure at the school.
Kimmel, who earned $182,844 in his final year with the DOE, left the organization in 2015 and now works as an education consultant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In response to the lawsuit, Kimmel’s attorney, Alan Sash, denied all allegations and filed motions to dismiss the case, arguing there was no evidence to support the student’s claims.
The student’s attorney, Julia Kuan, emphasized that the victim is seeking justice not only through financial compensation but also to hold Kimmel and the DOE accountable. Kuan noted that the victim did not report the abuse to the police at the time, possibly due to fear, manipulation, and the power dynamics involved. Without respect for client confidentiality, Kuan refrained from disclosing further personal details.
As the lawsuit progresses, it sheds light on the alleged misconduct within the education system and the need for stronger protocols to protect students from potential predators. The case highlights a troubling gap in the oversight of school staff. It reinforces the importance of proactive reporting and supervision in educational institutions to prevent similar incidents in the future.