Reporting contributed by: Beatrice Williams, Bria Martinez and Michael Arredondo. This story was first published by The Orion, which reported previously on the case here. CONTENT WARNING: Descriptions of an alleged sexual assault.
A civil lawsuit brought by a former Chico State student against her Chico State math professor and the California State University Board of Trustees has been settled after nearly six years of litigation.
Molly Roe, a court alias to protect her identity, alleged sexual assault, among other serious accusations, against former Chico State Math professor Christopher Marks. Roe accused the CSU Board of Trustees of negligence for failing to prevent Marks from engaging in inappropriate relationships with students. Roe recently filed for dismissal against both defendants following a “significant” financial settlement of over seven figures, according to Roe’s attorney, Paul Matiasic.
Marks was dismissed from his faculty position in 2022 for violating university policies regulating student-faculty relationships. In a Title IX hearing transcript found in court documents, he confessed to having a sexual relationship with Roe, over which he had significant influence — she was his current student.
University officials said they confirmed two other sexual relationships between Marks and university students, as previously reported in The Orion. According to the university, those relationships appeared to be consensual. Chico State Public Relations Director Andrew Staples said that “neither of the other students made claims of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct and thus those issues were beyond the scope of the investigation.”
Although Roe made a criminal complaint against Marks to the Chico Police Department in May 2020, no charges were brought against him, and Marks has denied criminal activity.
Relationship and alleged abuse
Roe and Marks began a consensual sexual relationship around February 2020, according to court documents. Roe reported experiencing the first signs of alleged abuse from Marks in March, documents allege.
On March 18, Roe alleged that Marks sexually assaulted her in her home and accused him of false imprisonment. According to court documents, Roe claimed Marks deprived her of her freedom of movement and prevented her from leaving the room in which he was allegedly sexually assaulting her.
On April 16, he allegedly asked her to perform sexual acts for him in order for Roe to pass his class that semester.
Roe filed the criminal complaint against Marks to the Chico Police Department in May. Chico police did not pursue criminal charges. In July, Roe filed a complaint to the Chico State Title IX office.
In court documents, Roe alleges that Marks’ coercion and abuse led to immense suffering, despite his awareness that she was under medical supervision for mental health conditions that had previously forced her to take leave from her studies. The defendant lists that she experienced “suicidal ideations” along with injury to her health, strength and sustaining shock to her nervous system.
Roe proceeded to file a lawsuit against Marks and the CSU Board of Trustees on April 29, 2021. According to court documents, Roe accused Marks of the following:
- Coercive sexual relationship between professor and student
- Alleged exchange of academic benefits for sex
- Sexual battery and unwanted sexual contact
- False imprisonment
- Emotional and psychological harm
Roe proceeded to file a lawsuit against Marks and the CSU Board of Trustees on April 29, 2021. According to court documents, Roe accused Marks of the following:
- Coercive sexual relationship between professor and student
- Alleged exchange of academic benefits for sex
- Sexual battery and unwanted sexual contact
- False imprisonment
- Emotional and psychological harm
CSU denies knowledge of abuse
Roe alleged that the CSU Board of Trustees had or should have had prior knowledge of Marks’s previous prohibited sexual misconduct with CSU students before March of 2020. Roe alleged that Marks exchanged sexual acts for better academic treatment with previous students.
The plaintiff listed 10 people affiliated with CSU who she alleges knew about Marks’s mistreatment and abuse. Roe accused CSU of negligent hiring and supervision. All university employees are “mandatory reporters” of sexual harassment or violence under Title IX.
In February of 2023, CSU denied all 24 allegations against affiliated defendants.
Staples commented on behalf of the CSU Chancellor’s office.
“We stand with survivors and are committed to ensuring they are supported and connected with appropriate resources. The University [sic] also provides regular reminders about policies on prohibited consensual relationships and sexual harassment as well as reporting obligations of employees and encourages all members of the community to report their concerns,” he said.
Case dismissal
The civil lawsuit was dismissed March 5, 2026, after a petition by the plaintiff’s legal council.
According to court documents, all future court dates have been vacated. Butte County Court Executive Officer Sharif Elmallah signed a subsequent notice on March 9 outlining procedural requirements moving forward.
Complete terms of the settlement agreement have not been shared publicly, but Roe’s attorney confirmed a financial agreement with his client.
According to Matiasic, the seven-figure settlement was decided “very close to trial,” and it closed the cases against both the CSU Board of Trustees and Marks.
Matiasic commended Roe for her bravery in stepping forward to share her story.
“Without proper safeguards from universities, students will be vulnerable,” he said.
Complete terms of the settlement agreement have not been shared publicly, but Roe’s attorney confirmed a financial agreement with his client.
According to Matiasic, the seven-figure settlement was decided “very close to trial,” and it closed the cases against both the CSU Board of Trustees and Marks.
Matiasic commended Roe for her bravery in stepping forward to share her story.
“Without proper safeguards from universities, students will be vulnerable,” he said.
If you are struggling with sexual abuse or assault, Chico State offers resources to support students:
- WellCat Counseling Center 24-Hour Protocol Line: 530-898-6345
- Catalyst DVSV 24-Hour Hotline: 800-895-8476
You can also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center website.
Josephine Bowman and Lexi Lynn can be reached at or*****************@***il.com
1 Comment
Incredible reporting.