Petitioner: JOHN WINN, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: GABRIEL MORAGA
Judges: LARRY J. SARTIN
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Miami, Florida
Filed: Oct. 13, 2005
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Tuesday, December 20, 2005.
Latest Update: Nov. 15, 2024
__ STATE OF FLORIDA
EDUCATION PRAHTEeBS COMMISSION
JOHN L. WINN, as
Commissioner of Education,
Petitioner,
vs. CASE NO. 045-0185-T
GABRIEL MORAGA,
respondent. OS* STIL
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, John L. Winn, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint
against GABRIEL MORAGA. The Petitioner seeks the appropriate disciplinary sanction of the
Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant to Sections 1012.795 and 1012.796, Florida Statutes,
and pursuant to Rule 6B-1.006, Florida Administrative Code, Principles of Professional Conduct for
the Education Profession in Florida, said sanctions specifically set forth in Sections 1012.795(1) and
1012.796(7), Florida Statutes.
The Petitioner alleges:
JURISDICTION
1. The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 728317, covering the area of
Chemistry, which is valid through June 30, 2006.
2, At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Chemistry Teacher
at Barbara Goleman Senior High School in the Miami-Dade County School District.
MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS
3. On or about February 12, 2001, Respondent engaged in inappropriate conduct with
J.M., a 17-year-old student in his class, by suggesting that he would raise her grade in exchange for
either money or sex, and giving the student his cell phone number. On or about September 13, 2001,
the school principal gave Respondent a verbal warning.
GABRIEL MORAGA
05 0CT-5 PH 3:34 Administrative Complaint
Page 2 of 3
4. On or about October 29, 2003, Respondent engaged in inappropriate conduct with
aS.O.,a 17-year-old student in his class, by tickling her, tugging her ponytail, pushing her chair, and
making comments that made her feel uncomfortable. On or about November 14, 2003, Respondent
sent a letter to the student’s mother, threatening to sue her and her family for defamation, subpoena
and depose all of her family and friends, and that he “will not stop until I clear my name of these
false accusations.” On or about September 1, 2004, the school district issued Respondent a letter
of reprimand.
STATUTE VIOLATIONS
COUNT 1: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(c), Florida Statutes,
in that Respondent has been guilty of gross immorality or an act involving moral turpitude.
COUNT 2: The Respondentis in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(), Florida Statutes, in
that Respondent has violated the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession
prescribed by State Board of Education rules.
RULE VIOLATIONS
COUNT 3: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(3)(a), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has failed to make reasonable effort
to protect the student from conditions harmfil to learning and/or to the student’s mental health
and/or physical health and/or safety.
COUNT 4: | The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1,006(3)(e), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has intentionally exposed a student to
unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
COUNT 5: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(3)(g), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has harassed or discriminated against
a student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs,
marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall
make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
COUNT 6: = The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(3)(h), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has exploited a relationship with a
student for personal gain or advantage.
GABRIEL MORAGA
Administrative Complaint
Page 3 of 3
os act -5 PM 33
COUNT 7: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1,006(4) (c), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has used institutional privileges for
personal gain or advantage.
COUNTS: TheRespondentisin violation ofRule 6B.1006(5)(o), Florida Administrative
Code, in that Respondent sought reprisal against any individual who has reported an allegation of
a violation of the Florida School Code or State Board of Education Rules as defined in Section
1012.795(1), Florida Statutes.
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner recommends that the Education Practices Commission
impose an appropriate penalty pursuant to the authority provided in Sections 1012.795(1) and
1012.796(7), Florida Statutes, which penalty may include a reprimand, probation, restriction of the
authorized. scope of practice, administrative fine, suspension of the teaching certificate not to exceed
three years, permanent revocation of the teaching certificate, or combination thereof, for the reasons
set forth herein, and in accordance with the Explanation and Election of Rights forms which are
attached hereto and made a part hereof by reference.
EXECUTED on this “| day of ow. , 2005.
a “Whe
JO L. WINN, as
Commissioner of Education
State of Florida
Docket for Case No: 05-003798PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Dec. 20, 2005 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Dec. 19, 2005 |
Motion to Cancel Hearing and to Relinquish Jurisdiction to EPC filed.
|
Dec. 14, 2005 |
Certificate of Non-appearance filed.
|
Dec. 14, 2005 |
Notice of Filing; Certificate of Non-appearance filed.
|
Dec. 12, 2005 |
Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction to EPC (undisputed facts) and Motion to Compel/Motion for Sanctions filed.
|
Oct. 20, 2005 |
Notice of Service of Petitioner`s Request for Production to Respondent filed.
|
Oct. 20, 2005 |
Notice of Service of Petitioner`s First Set of Interrogatories to Respondent filed.
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Oct. 20, 2005 |
Notice of Service of Petitioner`s Request for Admissions to Respondent filed.
|
Oct. 20, 2005 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
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Oct. 20, 2005 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for January 18, 2006; 9:30 a.m.; Miami, FL).
|
Oct. 20, 2005 |
Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Oct. 13, 2005 |
Initial Order.
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Oct. 13, 2005 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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Oct. 13, 2005 |
Finding of Probable Cause filed.
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Oct. 13, 2005 |
Request for extension of time to return a properly completed election of rights form filed.
|
Oct. 13, 2005 |
Election of Rights filed.
|
Oct. 13, 2005 |
Notice of Appearance, Requesting a Hearing filed.
|
Oct. 13, 2005 |
Notice that case is being forwarded to DOAH filed.
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Oct. 13, 2005 |
Agency referral filed.
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