Fresh settlement against Leifer, ultra-Orthodox school
A settlement has been reached in a fresh civil claim by a former student against the former principal and convicted abuser Malka Leifer and the Adass Israel School in Melbourne where she worked.
Malka Leifer, a former school principal, who is wanted on 74 charges of sexual abuse in Melbourne, Australia, is led out of the Jerusalem District Court. Jerusalem, Jun 14, 2018. Photo by Hillel Maeir/TPS
Leifer is in prison, awaiting sentence, after being convicted of sexually abusing two former students when she was principal and head of religion at the ultra-Orthodox Jewish school in the 2000s.
A jury found her guilty of sexual abuse of sisters Dassi Erlich and Elly Sapper.
Leifer was acquitted of abusing their older sister Nichama Meyer.
Ms Sapper and Ms Meyer each received confidential settlements from the school, while Ms Erlich was awarded damages by the Victorian Supreme Court in a civil suit.
The latest civil trial was due to begin in Victoria’s Supreme Court on Tuesday but was called off when lawyers revealed the matter had been resolved.
Justice Melinda Richards told them she appreciated it was a difficult thing for both sides to do.
Details still need to be finalised, but Justice Richards agreed to sign off with orders once that was done.
Specifics of the settlement were not aired in open court.
The school has been contacted for comment.
AAP
