SAYREVILLE – A former Sayreville War Memorial High School (SWMHS) student has joined other former students in taking legal action against the Sayreville School District over a 2014 hazing scandal.
A complaint, dated Aug. 20, was filed in New Jersey Superior Court by attorney Jeffrey Intravatola on the behalf of Robert Steiner, a former SWMHS student and member of the school’s freshman football team. The complaint relates to hazing incidents involving the high school football team that were reported in 2014.
As a result of the hazing controversy, seven students were charged with various counts in connection with the hazing. Six of the students either pleaded guilty or were found guilty of charges such as hazing and simple assault, leading to probationary terms and 50 hours of community service. The seventh student’s case was settled in 2016.
Steiner is the latest former student to take legal action against the school district since the scandal, including both alleged victims of the scandal and those who faced charges.
Named as defendants in the complaint were the Sayreville Board of Education; former head football Coach George Najjar; freshman football Coach Edward Mish; former Athletic Director John Kohutanycz; assistant coaches Timothy Ballard, Michael Novak and Mark Poore; former SWMHS Principal James Brown; and Superintendent of Schools Richard Labbe.
The complaint was also filed against former students and varsity football team members James Stewart and Leo Margotta. Additionally, the complaint lists unidentified current or
former agents, servants and/or employees of the district who are affirmed to be responsible to provide a safe and secure environment for football players and unidentified former students who allegedly played a role in developing or perpetuating or were
involved in a football hazing program.
The complaint alleges that Steiner, then a minor, was subjected to physical, psychological and sexual abuse within the locker room and/or other athletic facilities at the high school and, as a result, suffered severe, extreme and permanent physical and emotional distress, humiliation and other injuries.
“Steiner was caused to suffer and sustain severe and disabling injuries and psychological damage for which he has obtained medical treatment and which have caused him great pain and suffering, incapacitated him from pursuing his usual activities and have left him with permanent disabilities that will, in the future, similarly incapacitate him, cause him pain and suffering and require future medical attention and cause him to incur medical expenses,” the complaint reads.
Against the district and its current and former staff, whom he alleges did not prevent the hazing, and the two former identified students, whom he alleges subjected him to physical, emotional and sexual abuse, Steiner is seeking compensatory damages in an amount sufficient to compensate him for his alleged injuries, alleged punitive damages, attorney’s fees, costs of suit and all such other remedies allowed by law.
Board attorney Jonathan Busch said that as of Aug. 26, the district has not yet been served the complaint.
