Victims of Attack at Party Sue 5 Youths and the Defendants’ Parents

Two Thousand Oaks men who were assaulted at a party last March are suing the alleged attackers, including former Westlake High School football player Chris Catalano.

The suit by Kelly O’Brien and Kevin Majorino alleges assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The men, both graduates of Thousand Oaks High School, are also suing several sets of parents for negligence and liability.

Attorney Richard Hoefflin said the youths should be punished for their behavior and the parents should be held responsible for their children’s actions.

“These young men need to be stopped from this kind of violent behavior,” said Hoefflin, the plaintiffs’ attorney. “And it starts at home.”

The suit says the parents were aware of their children’s violent and aggressive attitudes and should have protected the community.

The attack occurred at a Thousand Oaks party. According to court testimony, Catalano and other youths chased the two men when they arrived at the party and then kicked and punched them. The other youths cited in the suit are Dan Catalano, Christopher Finefrock, John White and Jordan Uttal.

The suit names the parents of all five youths, plus the parents of the student who hosted the party.

Chris Catalano, now a freshman on a football scholarship at the University of Wisconsin, pleaded guilty in October to misdemeanor charges of assault and battery and was sentenced to 30 days in a work-release program and ordered to complete 120 hours of community service.

The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages of an unspecified amount.