Former Kent School IT worker avoids prison in case involving students’ private photos

WATERBURY — A former Kent School employee arrested in 2024 for accessing the private photos and sensitive files of 81 students and staff will avoid prison under a plea agreement reached Monday, March 16.

Daniel Clery, 49, of Brookfield, a former IT staff member at the boarding school, agreed to a plea deal that includes a 10-year suspended sentence, five years of probation and a requirement to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Clery pleaded no contest to two counts of first-degree computer crime. Superior Court Judge Corinne Klatt found him guilty and accepted the terms of the agreement.

The plea deal came days after a Waterbury Superior Court judge allowed portions of a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of 81 current and former Kent School students and staff to proceed.

Judge Daniel Klau ruled that the school may be held liable for negligence, finding it failed to properly supervise Clery and allowed him to exploit the school’s software systems to access personal photographs and files, primarily belonging to female victims.

Clery had been employed by the school for 23 years before being terminated in 2023. His dismissal followed two complaints from a staff member who reported that he had accessed her personal information. The first complaint was filed in 2022, but no action was taken until a second report was made eight months later.

Klau determined that while the case can move forward on liability, damages must be assessed individually, requiring separate hearings for each plaintiff. He also dismissed portions of the lawsuit, including claims of invasion of privacy, computer crimes and negligent infliction of emotional distress against the school.

Kent School did not respond to requests for comment.

The lawsuit was filed in February 2025 by the law firm Silver, Golub & Teitell on behalf of the aggrieved students and staff.

Attorney Jennifer Sclar, who represents the plaintiffs along with Jennifer Goldstein, said the ruling ensures victims can pursue accountability.

“The Court’s decision allowing this action to move forward on a class basis will ensure that every student who had their private and sensitive photos and information stolen by Daniel Clery will be able to seek accountability from Kent School for its negligence and recklessness in allowing Clery to operate with little to no supervision and with inadequate computer safety protocols for almost a decade.”

Clery remains free on $25,000 bond and is scheduled to be sentenced June 29 in Waterbury.