Five more accusers come forward against SoCal school counselor charged with molesting children

Los Angeles Times - Apr 30th, 2025
Open on Los Angeles Times

David Lane Braff, Jr., a former school counselor from Ventura County, has been hit with 14 additional felony counts of lewd acts upon a child, following the emergence of five new victims. This brings the total to 31 charges involving 13 victims. Braff, 42, initially faced accusations involving eight students at McKevett Elementary School, where he worked from 2015 to 2019. He pleaded not guilty to the original 17 charges in November. The new charges include incidents from his time at the Conejo Recreation and Park District. Braff is currently held in Ventura County jail with a $3-million bail, pending arraignment on May 21.

Braff's criminal activities are alleged to span multiple years and locations, highlighting a pattern of exploiting positions of trust in various youth-focused roles. Over a 24-year career, Braff worked across 10 school districts and youth facilities in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, including positions as a counselor, sports coach, and assistant principal. Ventura District Attorney Eric Nasarenko has urged anyone with further information to come forward, emphasizing the commitment to fully uncovering the extent of Braff's crimes. This case underscores the critical importance of safeguarding children within educational and recreational environments.

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RATING

7.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive and factual account of the allegations against David Lane Braff, Jr., offering detailed information about the charges, the victims, and the ongoing investigation. Its strengths lie in its accuracy, timeliness, and public interest, as it addresses a serious issue with significant implications for community safety and trust in educational institutions. The article is clear and engaging, effectively capturing reader attention through its structured presentation and neutral tone.

However, the article could improve by including perspectives from Braff's defense or statements from his legal representatives to provide a more balanced view. Additionally, more explicit citations of sources and explanations of legal terms would enhance transparency and readability, aiding readers unfamiliar with legal proceedings. Despite these areas for improvement, the article successfully informs and engages the public on a critical issue, underscoring its relevance and potential impact.

RATING DETAILS

9
Accuracy

The article presents a detailed account of the charges against David Lane Braff, Jr., including the number of victims and the nature of the charges. The factual claims align well with the information typically expected in such cases, such as the number of charges and the timeline of events. The article states that Braff is facing 31 counts of child molestation involving 13 victims, which is a specific detail that can be verified through court documents. The report also accurately mentions Braff's employment history and the nature of the allegations, which are consistent with statements from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

However, while the article provides substantial details, it could benefit from more direct citations or references to official documents or statements to bolster its factual basis. The article's claim about the additional victims coming forward, which is a critical update, is consistent with the ongoing nature of the investigation, as indicated by the District Attorney’s call for more victims to contact their office. The precision in reporting Braff's employment across various school districts adds to the article's credibility, although direct quotes from those institutions or the victims could further enhance accuracy.

7
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the allegations against Braff and the legal proceedings, which is appropriate given the serious nature of the charges. However, it lacks perspectives from Braff's defense or any statements from his legal representatives, which could provide a more balanced view. Including comments from Braff's attorney or a statement from Braff himself would help present a more rounded picture of the situation.

The article does include a statement from the Ventura District Attorney, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges and the ongoing investigation. This adds weight to the prosecution's perspective. However, the absence of any defense viewpoint creates a slight imbalance, as the reader only receives information from the prosecution and investigative side.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly presents the information, making it easy for readers to follow the developments in the case. The use of straightforward language and a logical flow of information contributes to its clarity. The article effectively outlines the charges, the timeline, and the roles of various parties involved.

However, the article could improve by providing more background on the legal process or the implications of the charges, which would help readers unfamiliar with legal proceedings better understand the situation. Including definitions of legal terms or a brief explanation of the judicial process could enhance comprehension for a general audience.

8
Source quality

The article appears to rely on credible sources, such as the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, which is a reliable entity in legal matters. The use of official statements and the mention of court documents suggest that the information is well-sourced. However, the article does not explicitly cite these documents or provide direct quotes from them, which would enhance the perceived credibility.

The reliance on statements from the District Attorney's Office indicates a strong source quality, but the article could improve by including a broader range of sources, such as interviews with legal experts or comments from the schools involved, to provide additional context and authority to the reporting.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in disclosing the charges against Braff and the nature of the investigation. It clearly states the number of victims and the timeline of events, which helps the reader understand the scope of the allegations. However, the article does not provide an explicit methodology for how the information was gathered or any potential limitations in the reporting.

While the article does mention the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office as a source, it could enhance transparency by detailing how the information was verified or obtained, such as through public records or direct interviews. This additional context would help readers better understand the basis of the claims and any potential biases in the reporting.

Sources

  1. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-29/five-more-victims-come-forward-against-socal-school-counselor-charged-with-molesting-children
  2. https://keyt.com/news/ventura-county/2025/04/29/five-more-survivors-and-14-additional-felony-counts-added-to-case-against-alleged-serial-child-molester-david-lane-braff-jr-of-thousand-oaks/
  3. https://da.venturacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Investigation-Leads-to-Five-More-Victims-in-David-Braff-Child-Molestation-Case-English-Spanish-1.pdf
  4. https://www.vcdistrictattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Assistant-Principal-Charged-with-Molesting-Multiple-Students.pdf
  5. https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/assistant-principal-accused-of-molesting-multiple-students-arrested-in-ventura-county/3567625/