Bishop Guertin High School is being sued for negligence in connection with sexual assaults that allegedly took place in the late-1980s. Courtesy photo

NASHUA – Hillsborough County Justice Jacki Smith recently rejected a motion from Bishop Guertin High School to dismiss the sexual abuse lawsuit filed by Belmont resident William Liakas.

The Complaint, filed in January 2024, alleges that the school was negligent for failing to address the incidents of sexual abuse committed by former teacher Brother Guy Beaulieu.

“Mr. Liakas is pleased that he will now be able to take this case to trial, where he intends to prove that Bishop Guertin administrators knew about Beaulieu’s predatory behavior but failed to take action,” said Attorney Eric MacLeish, counsel for Liakas. “The court’s decision recognizes the tragedy of childhood sexual abuse, where victims may suffer for years, often blaming themselves, before understanding that their injuries were caused by the misconduct and negligence of others.”

In her 16-page decision rendered on July 7, Smith found that the Complaint was still timely despite the abuse taking place during the 1988-1989 school year when Liakas was a 15-year-old freshman. Thirty-four years would pass before Liakas discovered through therapy that Bishop Guertin should be held responsible.

“Mr. Liakas neither knew or should have known of the causal connection between his injuries and the defendants’ breach of duty until late 2023,” said Smith.

It is alleged that on two occasions, Beaulieu, who is now deceased, took Liakas to his residence for math tutoring rather than staying at the school. Liakas said that during those times, Beaulieu would orally rape him and ejaculate into his mouth.

At the end of the school year, Liakas burned his textbooks, his Bible and left Bishop Guertin in the past. Beaulieu also left the school in 1989 after 19 years of employment.

In the years that followed, 10 alumni filed lawsuits against the school accusing Beaulieu of sexual misconduct.

During a deposition in the early-2000s, Beaulieu said he molested up to 20 students from 1971 to 1981. He also said he told Brother Leo Labbe, the assistant principal at the time, that he molested a 15-year-old student while teaching at Sacred Heart Prep School in Pascoag, R.I.

In his Complaint, MacLeish maintained that it was Labbe’s responsibility to report Beaulieu to the state Division for Children, Youth and Families.

“Brother Labbe failed to take any employment-related disciplinary action, or other disciplinary action, against Beaulieu to protect students at Bishop Guertin from Beaulieu,” said MacLeish. “The danger posed by Beaulieu was also known by other persons employed by the Defendants and they failed to take action to protect students. Beaulieu’s sexually abusive behavior with students was well known within the Bishop Guertin community but nothing was done to stop him. Bishop Guertin’s conduct was wanton, reckless and oppressive.”

Smith also denied Bishop Guertin’s motion to prevent Labbe from being deposed.

MacLeish said Liakas has struggled with “shame and embarrassment” and has even blamed himself for what happened during his freshman year of high school.

“He never received any communication from Bishop Guertin to the effect that there were multiple other students who had been sexually abused as children,” said MacLeish. “Bishop Guertin never sent such communication to the Plaintiff or any alumnus for fear that it would damage the school’s reputation, despite that the fact that Bishop Guertin settled multiple cases involving sexual abuse by Beaulieu and numerous other Brothers and Bishop Guertin faculty.”

Principal Jason Strniste said he and his administrators are unable to comment on the matter as it is still in litigation. However, he gave his assurance that the school is “committed to maintaining a safe environment for all current students.”

“Every teacher and staff member undergoes a comprehensive background check prior to hiring and any concerns are investigated and resolved at the start of employment,” said Strniste. “All faculty and staff complete annual training on student safety, abuse prevention and mandatory reporting requirements. Any reports of actions that may place students at risk are promptly investigated and, when warranted, reported to the appropriate authorities. The school has established procedures to review our response to any allegation to ensure that student safety remains our highest priority.”