A former Illinois schoolteacher has been compelled to put her family home on the market to fulfil a massive financial settlement, following the exposure of her illicit sexual relationship with a student.
Christina Formella, a 32-year-old ex-teacher and cheerleading coach at Oak Lawn Community High School, is selling her property to help pay the $825,000 owed to her victim. The scandal, which sent shockwaves through the community, began when Formella was just 26 and the male student was 16.
The relationship, which spanned several months, was discovered after the student's mother found explicit messages on his phone. This led to Formella's immediate resignation in 2018 and the subsequent filing of a devastating lawsuit against her and the school district.
A Breach of Trust and a Costly Settlement
The lawsuit alleged a gross abuse of power and a catastrophic failure in safeguarding. It claimed the school district was negligent for not detecting the inappropriate relationship sooner, despite alleged warning signs.
While the district admitted no fault, it agreed to a $825,000 settlement to resolve the case. Formella herself was ordered to contribute a significant portion of this sum, a financial burden that has now cost her the family home she shared with her husband and children.
Legal Repercussions and a Permanent Record
The consequences for Formella extended far beyond financial ruin. In a separate criminal case, she pleaded guilty to official misconduct, a misdemeanor. She was sentenced to two years of probation, 200 hours of community service, and was forced to register as a sex offender for a decade.
Perhaps most damning for her former profession, her Illinois teaching license has been permanently revoked, ensuring she can never work with children again.
The case stands as a stark reminder of the profound ethical responsibilities held by educators and the life-altering consequences for those who betray that sacred trust.
