Merced, CA (February 25, 2026) — A civil lawsuit filed in Merced County Superior Court names Gustine Unified School District, the Merced County Office of Education and former school administrator Brian Chubon as defendants, alleging civil wrongdoing and seeking damages and a jury trial, according to court records.
The case was electronically filed Jan. 30, 2026 in Merced Superior Court. The action is designated Unlimited Civil, meaning the amount demanded exceeds $35,000, based on the court’s Civil Case Cover Sheet. Court filings list Gustine Unified School District and the Merced County Office of Education defendants. Chubon is also listed as an individual defendant, along with Does 1 through 50.
The complaint lists four causes of action: assault and battery; violation of Government Code section 815.2 (vicarious liability); breach of mandatory duty under Government Code section 815.6; and negligence. The filing also includes a demand for a jury trial.
A summons in the civil case was filed the same day as the complaint. The court issued a notice setting a case management conference for October.
The civil lawsuit follows a separate criminal case in Merced County. Modesto City Schools previously stated that Chubon was charged in Merced County in connection with allegations involving a minor and that he is no longer employed by the district. The district has said the charges were filed in December 2024 and that Chubon had passed a criminal background check at the time he was hired.
According to Merced County court records, Chubon entered a no-contest plea on Jan. 14, 2026 to one felony count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor under Penal Code section 261.5(c). Court minute orders also indicate that a separate oral copulation charge was dismissed on motion of the prosecution.
The allegations in the civil complaint are claims made in a filed lawsuit and have not been adjudicated in the civil case.
