SouthernWorldwide.com – A Democratic candidate for Congress in California has been campaigning on a platform of transparency, yet reports indicate that during his time on a local school board, multiple sex abuse cases were settled in closed sessions.
Randy Villegas, who is seeking to represent California’s newly drawn 22nd Congressional District, has emphasized transparency in his campaign. He is a college professor and previously served on the Visalia Unified School District (VUSD) school board, where he advocated for greater openness.
However, documents obtained by the Los Angeles Times reveal that during Villegas’ tenure on the VUSD board, five confidential sex abuse cases were settled for a total of nearly $14.4 million. These settlements reportedly included clauses designed to prevent the public disclosure of information.
Villegas’ campaign website states his intention to “bring accountable, people-first leadership to Washington.” This message contrasts with the reported confidential settlements made by the school district while he was a board member.
The cases involved allegations of sexual abuse and assault made by six former students against a male kindergarten teacher. The alleged incidents occurred decades prior, spanning from 1969 to 1971, and took place in both a classroom and a restroom, according to a 2022 complaint detailed by the L.A. Times.
The complaint described the teacher as allegedly using his position of trust to assault young students. It further alleged that the classroom became a “personal playing field” for the teacher to prey on and repeatedly assault multiple female students.
A confidential settlement agreement, approved by the board in March 2025 with Villegas present, stipulated that parties would only state “the matter has been resolved.” It also prohibited any “further elaboration, discussion, or disclosure” of the details to third parties.
These settlements were reached to resolve claims and did not constitute an admission of any wrongdoing by the district.
The settlement agreement also acknowledged the potential for disclosure under the California Public Records Act. However, it barred former students involved from encouraging or making public records requests regarding these settlements.
The plaintiff in one case accused the Visalia Unified School District of negligence in hiring, supervision, and retention. The complaint alleged that the district knew or should have known the defendant was unfit for employment.
The attorney for the plaintiff informed ABC 30 that the accused teacher had been previously removed from the same school a decade prior due to serious misconduct. He was reportedly rehired in 2022. The lawyer later represented another student with allegations against the same staff member, and the defendant faced 11 felony counts for misconduct during the 2022-2023 school year.
The settlement in that specific case was finalized one month before a civil trial was scheduled to begin, according to coverage by The Fresno Bee in 2025.
In 2022, while running for his appointed position on the school board, Villegas highlighted his commitment to transparency. He stated in a candidate profile for the Visalia Times Delta that during his temporary appointment, he “pushed for transparency, supporting a policy to grant the public access to meeting recordings.” His congressional campaign website reiterates a similar message.
Villegas’ website states, “Randy’s running to fight for working families, protect our democracy, and bring accountable, people-first leadership to Washington.” It also criticizes his opponent, Republican David Valadao, for consistently siding with corporate interests.
Villegas, a political science professor at the College of the Sequoias, is competing in California’s June 2 top-two primary. His opponents include incumbent Republican Rep. David Valadao and Democratic Assemblywoman Bains.
Villegas’ campaign has garnered support from progressive figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders, Dolores Huerta (co-founder of the United Farm Workers), and the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC. Co-chairs of the PAC, Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Maxwell Frost, praised Villegas for his potential to bring Central Valley voices to Congress. Rep. Ro Khanna has also endorsed Villegas.
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The 22nd Congressional District was previously represented by Republicans Devin Nunes and Connie Conway.
