San Francisco Settles $900,000 Sex Abuse Lawsuit from 1990s City Camp

City to pay anonymous plaintiff who claimed abuse by a camp counselor over two years when he was a teenager.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 6:07pm by Ben Kaplan

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

San Francisco has agreed to pay $900,000 to settle a sexual abuse lawsuit filed by an anonymous plaintiff who claimed he was assaulted by a city camp counselor over two years in the late 1990s when he was 14 years old. The Board of Supervisors approved the settlement, avoiding a trial that was set to begin in September 2022.

Why it matters

This case highlights the lasting impacts of childhood sexual abuse and the importance of proper oversight and safeguards at city-run youth programs. The settlement comes after a 2019 state law extended the statute of limitations, allowing more survivors to come forward with past claims.

The details

The plaintiff, identified as 'R.C.' in court documents, alleged a pattern of abuse by the counselor that included fondling, sexual intercourse, and oral copulation. The counselor also allegedly became pregnant as a result of the abuse before terminating the pregnancy. The lawsuit accused camp administrators of failing to investigate suspected misconduct and implement reasonable safeguards to prevent the abuse.

  • The alleged abuse occurred over two years in the late 1990s when the plaintiff was 14 years old.
  • The lawsuit was filed in San Francisco civil court in 2022.
  • The Board of Supervisors approved the $900,000 settlement on January 27, 2026, avoiding a trial that was set to begin in September 2022.

The players

R.C.

An anonymous plaintiff who filed a sexual abuse lawsuit against the city of San Francisco over alleged assaults by a camp counselor when he was a teenager in the late 1990s.

City of San Francisco

The defendant in the lawsuit, which agreed to pay a $900,000 settlement to the plaintiff.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The city works diligently to provide services and resources in a safe and professional manner. We believe the proposed settlement is an appropriate resolution given the inherent costs of continued litigation.”

— Jen Kwart, Spokesperson, City Attorney's Office

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for robust oversight, training, and accountability measures at city-run youth programs to prevent future instances of abuse and protect vulnerable participants. The settlement also highlights how changes to statutes of limitations can empower more survivors to come forward with past claims of sexual assault.