Ex-teacher sues over leaked photo

A former Shawnee High School English teacher is suing an ex-boyfriend and others who allegedly distributed a photo of her that appeared to show her alone in a classroom with an exposed breast.

Kristina Karbasi, who has since changed her name to Kristina Sims, has accused former boyfriend Justin Sweeney, Angelia Jacques and Kathryn Minnick of defamation for emailing a semi-nude photo of her to the superintendent of Clark-Shawnee and media outlets and claiming she supplied drugs to and used drugs with students in the district.

“The subsequent publicity of said email was widely publicized in the media and resulted in the loss of (Sims) employment with the Clark-Shawnee School District and subjected (Sims) to ridicule, contempt, and damage to her emotional and mental health,” according to documents field with the Clark County Common Pleas Court.

“… As a result of said publication, plaintiff was forced to change her name to avoid public humiliation and ridicule.”

The photos were distributed on or about Jan. 3. without Sims’ prior knowledge or consent. A number of Sims’ friends, co-workers, neighbors and associates viewed the photo and the false allegations made about her, which subjected Sims to unwanted attention, embarrassment and humiliation, the suit said.

Sims is seeking a public apology, compensatory damages in excess of $25,000, punitive damages in excess of $50,000, an injunction prohibiting defendants from disseminating all information on Sims and attorneys fees, according to court documents.

The Springfield News-Sun was unable to reach Sweeney, Jacques and Minnick for comment.

Sims resigned after board members issued a notice of intent to “initiate termination proceedings and suspension without pay,” according to district documents.

The district had planned to terminate Sims’ contract because the photo appeared to have been taken in a classroom, said Superintendent Gregg Morris.

Sims’ mother, Vicki, told the News-Sun in January that the photo could have been leaked by an ex-boyfriend.

The conduct of Sweeney, Jacques and Minnick caused Sims to lose $41,000 in earnings and future income, caused her psychological injuries and mental anguish, and caused her to undergo mental counseling that she expects to continue, according to court documents.

“Defendants acted either intentionally, recklessly or negligently and knew or should have known that their actions would result in serious emotional distress to (Sims),” according to court documents.

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