Former USU student sues piano professor for sexual assault

Sep 20, 2018, 7:46 AM | Updated: 8:12 am

The former USU student claims her professor assaulted her twice in 1994.

Former Reporter

SALT LAKE CITY — A former USU student is suing one of her former professors, accusing him of sexual assault more than 20 years ago.

In her civil lawsuit, Jaime Caliendo, now 41, says Dennis Hirst, now 47, attacked her twice at his apartment, where he taught her music theory in 1994.

She called the police, but no charges were filed at the time.

Caliendo seeks $300,000 in damages for emotional distress, and to end what she calls a culture of sexual abuse at Utah State.

A Utah State University spokesman says a Title IX investigation with an outside attorney has been launched against Hirst, who has denied the attacks.

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Former USU student sues piano professor for sexual assault

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