No Halo News · Sourced development
Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa settles former employee's assault-related lawsuit for a reported $12 million
The Christian Post reported that Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa agreed to pay $12 million to settle a former employee's civil lawsuit. The plaintiff alleged that former pastor and wrestling coach Jacob Harman repeatedly assaulted her and that church leaders failed to protect her despite earlier warnings. The settlement ended the civil case without a trial or judicial finding on the allegations. Harman continued to deny the plaintiff's claims and reportedly paid nothing under the settlement.
Status matters. This page records a sourced development, not a completed No Halo investigation. An allegation is not a finding. Dismissals, settlements, judgments, corrections and final outcomes remain distinct.
Donor relevance
Why this matters
A reported $12 million settlement is financially significant and directly concerns safeguarding, supervision and the handling of complaints involving a minister and school coach. Those issues are material to congregants, donors and families using church-affiliated programs.
Attribution
Who reported or established this
The assault and institutional-failure claims were made by the former employee in her civil complaint. Her lawyers confirmed the settlement to news organizations. The church supplied a statement, and Harman separately denied the allegations.
Evidence limits
What remains unverified
No Halo has not established that the alleged assaults occurred or that church leaders had the prior knowledge described in the complaint. The case settled without trial, and the consulted report did not provide the exact September settlement date or all settlement terms.
Right of reply
Organization response
The church said it was grateful to have reached a resolution reflecting its commitment to caring for people affected by harmful behavior and that it was moving forward with its ministry. Harman denied the allegations and said he would have preferred a trial.
Classification
How No Halo records this event
Event type: Settlement. Current state: Resolved. No Halo preserves the current procedural state rather than treating every mention as a finding.
Published October 14, 2026 · Last verified October 17, 2026. See an error or a later outcome? Submit a correction or right of reply.