A former Jeopardy! contestant who later worked as a math teacher at an elite Brooklyn private school is now the subject of a federal civil lawsuit alleging serious misconduct involving explicit images of teenagers and institutional failures to intervene.
According to The New York Times, Winston Nguyen, who appeared on Jeopardy! in 2014, is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence following a criminal case tied to online sexual misconduct with minors.
The newly filed civil action, brought by parents of two individuals identified in court filings as the teenage victims of Nguyen, accuses him of manipulating the teens to send nude photos through social media and retaliating by distributing the images after contact was cut off.
Per the complaint, Nguyen allegedly posed as a teenage boy on Snapchat and built trust through prolonged online conversations that escalated into explicit exchanges.
While the individuals named in the lawsuit were not students at Saint Ann’s School, the filing claims Nguyen leveraged his position at the school to establish credibility, including access to student networks and internal resources.
The lawsuit alleges that after communication ended, Nguyen sent what it describes as a “revenge porn blast,” distributing dozens of explicit images to others during the school day in early 2024.
The complaint further alleges that school administrators were repeatedly notified that explicit material of children was circulating but failed to notify authorities or take steps to prevent further dissemination.
Nguyen was arrested in June 2024 and later pleaded guilty to multiple charges connected to the conduct outlined in the lawsuit. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez previously said the investigation uncovered “extremely disturbing conduct.”
The civil suit names Saint Ann’s School and several current and former administrators as defendants, alleging negligence and retaliation against those who raised concerns about Nguyen’s behavior. The filing alleges that warnings from parents, faculty, and students were dismissed or reframed, allowing Nguyen to continue accessing school property and digital systems.
After the lawsuit was filed, school leadership sent a letter to the school community disputing aspects of the complaint and stating that it did not present new allegations. The letter acknowledged the seriousness of Nguyen’s actions while challenging the characterization of the school’s role.
Nguyen’s attorney has said his client is incarcerated and without assets.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse or exploitation, confidential support is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or via online chat at RAINN.org.
To report the online sharing of explicit images or suspected exploitation involving minors, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline at 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678) or submit a report at report.cybertip.org.