The State of New York has paid $3 million to the family of a developmentally disabled boy who was repeatedly sexually assaulted and abused by an employee at the State-run group home near Utica where he lived. The abuse took place over multiple years, and was discovered after photos and videos the abuser, Steven DeProspero, had made of the assaults were found on his computer. DeProspero is currently incarcerated under both state and federal convictions for crimes related to the abuse.

ECBAWM attorneys Ilann Maazel, Andrew G. Celli, Jr., and Ali Frick represented the boy’s family. As Mr. Celli told the AP, “This is a case where you had someone who really was evil. But what failed here was the system. You have to have systems in place to ensure the safety of children who have needs, and they just fell down on the job here.”