Texas: Former prison school principal settles civil suit

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- The attorney for a former West Texas youth prison inmate said Tuesday his client has settled a civil lawsuit against a former prison school principal who was acquitted on sexual abuse charges. Attorney Scott Medlock said his 26-year-old client's settlement for $2,000 doesn't include an admission of wrongdoing by former West Texas State School principal John Paul Hernandez. Medlock says the agreement includes a "vague" letter of apology from Hernandez. Hernandez's victim was happy the suit was over. The Associated Press generally doesn't identify alleged victims of sexual abuse. Hernandez and his attorney, Albert G. Valadez, did not immediately return calls seeking comment. Medlock said the money was all Hernandez had after paying attorney's fees in his criminal trial. In February, Hernandez was found not guilty of sexually abusing five inmates at the West Texas State School in Pyote in 2004 and 2005. Medlock's client was among the five and all testified against the former principal. A 2005 report from Texas Rangers investigators said Hernandez summoned young male inmates from their dorms late at night and from classrooms and took them to darkened conference rooms or other areas for sexual encounters. The case upended the Texas Youth Commission. Lawmakers eventually ordered an overhaul of the system. Hernandez was allowed to quietly resign amid the Rangers' investigation. Published: Wed, Jun 1, 2011