A lawsuit seeking $33 million in damages alleges that repeated harassment, slander, and retaliation stemming from incidents in public schools have caused lasting harm to the plaintiff’s reputation, career, and personal life. The complaint was filed by Ava Gordon on April 15, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against the New York State Education Department and Cornell University.
According to the filing, Gordon claims that she experienced sexual assault at SPS 31 in Bronx, New York in June 1978 by another student. She alleges that after reporting this incident to school authorities—including staff members who were related to the accused—she became the target of further harassment by both students and faculty. "After I complained about Jody trying to feel me up in the restroom, I was targeted by a teacher at the school named Richard Polloso," Gordon states in her complaint.
The lawsuit asserts that these early experiences led to a pattern of mistreatment that followed Gordon throughout her education and professional life. She alleges that lies about her character were spread through official channels within the school system and beyond: "Frank and Priscilla Gonzalez spread lies about me to their connections in the government, inclusive of the New York Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation." Gordon contends that this campaign resulted in continued harassment at other schools she attended—including Halsted School in Yonkers and later at Cornell University—as well as at various workplaces across multiple states.
Gordon’s complaint describes a series of incidents involving teachers, administrators, classmates, coworkers, law enforcement officers, and others whom she claims acted on false information or participated directly in ongoing harassment. She details being subject to slanderous rumors regarding her sexuality and character: "I have NEVER been a homosexual, a bisexual, or a prostitute... My reputation, career, credit, and even my retirement were ruined by these lying perverted nutjobs." She further alleges interference with employment opportunities due to background checks referencing negative information allegedly circulated by defendants or their associates.
The legal arguments presented accuse the defendants—the New York State Education Department as well as Cornell University—of failing to protect her rights as a student while also enabling or participating in efforts to discredit her. Gordon writes: "The NY Board of Education had no right to spread such lies and I have no doubt that it was done with malicious intent." She also asserts violations relating to privacy rights: "No individual should have to put up with such evil... let alone have their lives destroyed in efforts to cover up for government malfeasance."
In addition to recounting specific episodes from childhood through adulthood—including alleged physical assaults, false criminal accusations (such as an FBI warrant issued under another person’s name), workplace sabotage, stalking incidents across several states, thefts of property or identity fraud—the plaintiff requests substantial financial compensation. "I want $33 million dollars from these devious scumbags," she writes.
Gordon seeks relief including monetary damages for loss of career opportunities and emotional distress as well as redress for reputational harm. She also references an intention to file additional lawsuits related to alleged misconduct by federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
As outlined in court documents spanning decades of claimed mistreatment tied back to original events within public schools under state oversight—and later echoed at higher education institutions—the case raises questions about institutional responsibility for addressing allegations made by students against peers or staff.
At this time there is no mention within the filing itself regarding attorney representation for either party nor any reference to presiding judges assigned. The case is identified as Case No. 1:26-cv-02250.
Source: 126cv02250_Gordon_v_NYS_Education_Department_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf