FAIRFIELD (CT)
CT Insider [Norwalk CT]
October 6, 2026
By Richard Chumney
Fairfield University has agreed to pay $1.1 million to a former Fairfield College Preparatory School student who claimed that he was sexually abused by his teacher more than 20 years ago.
The agreement was reached in August after the student alleged he was abused between 2001 and 2005, according to Mitchell Garabedian, a Boston-based lawyer known for representing victims of sexual abuse.
“By coming forward and reporting the sexual abuse the sexual abuse survivor is a voice for those who cannot come forward yet and is also helping to keep the world safer for children,” Garabedian said Tuesday.
Christian Cashman, the president of Fairfield Prep, confirmed in a statement that a settlement has been reached. He said the private Jesuit school has approached the matter with “careful consideration and attention.”
“Fairfield Prep has no higher priority than the safety and well-being of our community,” Cashman said. “We remain dedicated to maintaining a safe and positive environment where all students can learn and thrive.”
The all-boys preparatory school is located on the Fairfield University campus and is considered a division of the institution. The school currently serves about 820 students across grades 9 to 12, according to the school website.
Garabedian said the sexual abuse involving his client began during the student’s sophomore year when he was 15 years old and continued until the middle of his senior year when he was 18 years old.
He said abuse occurred more than 200 times and took place at the teacher’s Bridgeport apartment, her car at a campus parking lot, inside a classroom, while traveling to a community service school trip in Appalachia and at the site of the trip.
Garabedian said the abuse ended when the victim got older, realized that the relationship was wrong and began to distance himself from the teacher despite worrying that cutting her off would cause her to somehow retaliate.
“The sexual abuse caused the sexual abuse survivor to suffer ongoing and continuing emotional injuries,” Garabedian said.
A copy of the settlement agreement shared by Garabedian identifies the accused teacher as Melissa Goodwin, formerly known as Melissa Laguzza. Goodwin could not immediately be reached for comment.
Garabedian said a report was filed in the case with the Fairfield police, but that the victim is not in possession of the police report. He also noted that a civil complaint regarding the allegations has not been filed in court.