ABC News – Oregon Woman Sues Over Foster Care Sex Abuse
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Woman that was placed in family with sex offender sues DHS
KATU.com
By Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A 19-year-old woman has filed a $5.25 million lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Human Services claiming she was sexually abused as a child after the agency placed her with her foster grandfather.
Portland attorney Kelly Clark, who filed the complaint for the woman, said the foster grandfather had been twice convicted and sent to prison on child rape charges.
Clark alleges the state agency was negligent for placing the victim with the grandfather without adequately investigating. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court claims the abuse occurred repeatedly between the ages of 5 and 9.
The complaint names the Department of Human Services and two unidentified caseworkers as defendants.
“They Should Have Known”: Abused Foster Child Sues State Department of Human Services
Posted by Sean Breslin
PortlandMercury.com
September 2, 2009
Wednesday morning started bleakly for the Oregon Department of Human Services Children and Families Division—at 10AM a woman known only as “B.D.” filed suit against the Division and two of its caseworkers seeking $5 million in damages for years of abuse.
According to the complaint, Children and Family Services (CAF) removed the woman from her natural parents’ home around 1993, when she was four years old. B.D. was placed in the care of her maternal grandmother and her grandmother’s husband, David Purcell. For years, B.D. endured rape and abuse at the hands of Purcell and eventually came forward about the abuse in 1999, at the age of 10. Purcell is currently serving prison time for his crimes against her.
But then this August, B.D. discovered that she was not the first person Purcell abused: he had been previously convicted in 1980 of raping his 14-year-old daughter and in 1987 of rape and sodomy related to a stepdaughter.
Learning that, B.D. wanted to hold the state accountable for putting her in an abusive situation. The suit she brought on Wednesday claims that CAF failed in its duty to provide “safe and appropriate foster care,” and that the two caseworkers (named “John Doe I” and “John Doe II” in the complaint) had “constructive knowledge” about Purcell’s past convictions. Attorney Kelly Clark, who is representing B.D., explains the case in blunter terms.
“They should have known. That’s what it means,” Clark says.
Clark says he is confident that legal pressures have forced change in many private institutions like the Catholic Church, but that public systems like foster care remain largely unscrutinized. He hopes this case will bring a change in policy, but he’s not holding his breath for a genuine change of heart at DHS. “If it has to be done because they’re afraid of liability or afraid of bad publicity, I don’t really care. I want them to do the right thing.”
Read on for more details about the case.
Because of statutory limitations, Clark is bringing the suit as both an instance of alleged negligence by the state, and as a violation of B.D.’s civil rights. According to Clark, negligence cases cannot be pursued more than two years after the victim has become "reasonable aware" of her right to sue, but there are no statute of limitations on federal civil rights law.
“One of the reason’s [lawsuits like this] have not been common is because the law is so dang convoluted. The state has made it very difficult to sue the state,” says Clark.
The Oregon Department of Human Services did not immediately return calls about the suit.
Lawsuit blames Oregon for foster child’s sexual abuse
By ANNE YEAGER, Kgw.com
PORTLAND, Ore. — A 19-year-old woman has filed a $5.25 million lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Human Services claiming she was sexually abused as a child after the agency placed her with her foster grandfather.
In the lawsuit, the woman accuses DHS of negligence for placing her with David Purcell, a man twice convicted and sent to prison on child rape charges.
Purcell was husband to the woman’s paternal grandmother, according to the lawsuit, filed by Portland attorney Kelly Clark.
The lawsuit alleges that DHS did not adequately investigate Purcell’s past and that the victim was “severely sexually abused” repeatedly from 1993 to 1997.
“(Purcell) repeatedly raped and molested her on scores of occasions when she was aged 5 through 9,” the suit alleged.
She reported the abuse when she was 10, according to the lawsuit.
Purcell was convicted of rape in 1980 and 1987. He was convicted for sexually assaulting the victim and remains in prison, Clark said.
“She doesn’t trust men, she doesn’t like to be touched. By first glance, she may look like a normal 19-year-old, but the demons start to show. “ said Kelly Clark, the woman’s attorney.
The complaint names the Department of Human Services and two unidentified caseworkers as defendants.
On Wednesday, the state responded to the lawsuit with a statement.
“DHS has made improvements and is continuing to make improvements to keep children in foster care safe and to prevent the abuse and neglect of children in the first place,” the statement said.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Oregon woman sues state, alleging foster abuse
Associated Press – September 2, 2009 3:25 PM ET
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A 19-year-old woman has filed a $5.25 million lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Human Services claiming she was sexually abused as a child after the agency placed her with her foster grandfather.
Portland attorney Kelly Clark, who filed the complaint for the woman, said the foster grandfather had been twice convicted and sent to prison on child rape charges.
Clark alleges the state agency was negligent for placing the victim with the grandfather without adequately investigating. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court claims the abuse occurred repeatedly between the ages of 5 and 9.
The complaint names the Department of Human Services and two unidentified caseworkers as defendants.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Oregon woman sues state, alleging foster abuse
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A 19-year-old woman has filed a $5.25 million lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Human Services claiming she was sexually abused as a child after the agency placed her with her foster grandfather.
Portland attorney Kelly Clark, who filed the complaint for the woman, said the foster grandfather had been twice convicted and sent to prison on child rape charges.
Clark alleges the state agency was negligent for placing the victim with the grandfather without adequately investigating. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court claims the abuse occurred repeatedly between the ages of 5 and 9.
The complaint names the Department of Human Services and two unidentified caseworkers as defendants.
©2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Bill to Raise Age of Sex Abuse Victims Moves Through Legislature
Tim King
June 25th, 2009
After clearing the House, House Bill 2827 will go to Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski to be signed into law.
(SALEM, Ore.) – A bill that would raise the age of sex abuse victims in Oregon from 24 to 40 will likely become law. The future of House Bill 2827 appeared bleak when we wrote about it May 28th 2009. (see: Will Oregon Stand for Sex Abuse Victims? – Tim King Salem-News.com
Many of the cases originate from churches in Oregon and experts like Portland Attorney Kelly Clark, say it often takes several decades for a person to comprehend the magnitude of their experience and come forward.
Bill Crane from the group SNAP, (Survivors Network of people Abused by Priests) says it is a good day in Oregon and while cautious, he agrees that it is good news on a day that could use it.
Molly Woon with the Oregon State Legislature says H.B. 2827 passed through the Senate Floor today, after moving through the Oregon House unanimously.
Woon says there was an amendment and the bill has to now go back to the House for concurrence. The change, "removed definition of causable connections between injury and child abuse," according to Woon.
She says it amounts to a technical fix.
After clearing the House, House Bill 2827 will go to Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski to be signed into law.
Will Oregon Stand for Sex Abuse Victims?
While church and state are separate in the United States, Oregon’s government may be more interested in the welfare of churches than victims.
By Tim King
Salem-News.com
May 28, 2009
(SALEM, Ore.) – Oregon sex abuse survivors joined Portland Attorney Kelly Clark at the capitol in Salem today, to attend a hearing for a bill that would extend the window of time sex abuse survivors have to take action against the person or people who abused them.
Clark is known for taking sex abuse suspects to task and rallying endlessly for victims.
At this time, the cut off age for sex abuse victims to come forward, is 24.
Many of the cases originate from churches in Oregon and experts say it often takes several decades for a person to comprehend the magnitude of their experience and come forward.
The Portland Archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Oregon, much like in other locations including Boston, have worked hard to avoid responsibility and liability for pedophiles who currently or formerly exist as elevated members of the various churches.
Victims and their advocates, including the group SNAP, (Survivors Network of people Abused by Priests) along with Private Investigator Dawn Krantz-Watts of All Things Legal Investigations in Portland, say they are unhappy with the way the bill is progressing and they believe it may fail due to the relationships that exist between the Oregon Senate and various church groups.
In denying, delaying or killing this legislation, Oregon becomes extremely hypocritical as a government that strongly condemns the sexual abuse and exploitation of children, while struggling with basic common sense answers for the people lucky enough to survive the abuse in the first place.
I interviewed Clark and Krantz-Watts and three people who are survivors today after the first round of hearings at the capitol.
Watch the video news report:
For Immediate Release_Child Sex Abuse Victims Group Speaks Out For Statute Of Limitations Bill
CHILD SEX ABUSE VICTIMS GROUP SPEAKS OUT FOR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS BILL
For Immediate Release
May 27, 2009
For More Information
Matt Nees: (503) 780 – 1965
mattn@wintreswishes.org
Beaverton, Ore—Wintre’s Wishes Foundation, an Oregon non-profit dedicated to support of child abuse survivors, today announced its support for House Bill 2827, a measure which would extend the civil statute of limitations for child abuse survivors to sue their abusers.
The bill passed the House of Representatives 60-0 in April, but has bogged down in the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Floyd Prozanski (D – Eugene).
The bill is set for a public hearing and vote on Thursday, May 28th at 8:00am in Senate Hearing Room 343.
Said Matthew Nees, the father of a seven-year-old sexual abuse victim, and the founder of Wintre’s Wishes Foundation, “We believe this is a common sense bill that will both help survivors of child abuse and will help prevent future child abuse. We thank Representative Andy Olson for his sponsorship of this bill, and we call on members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Senator Prozanski, to pass this bill.”
Under current Oregon law, victims of child abuse have until age 24 to file a civil law suit, or, until three years from the date they understand that their abuse has caused them injury. House Bill 2827 extends those periods of time to age 40 with a five year discovery window after that. “We know that most child abuse survivors never mention their abuse until much later in life, well into their 30′s, 40′s, or 50′s,” said Nees, “and this bill merely recognizes that reality.”
The measure has reportedly bogged down in the Senate because of political pressure from religious groups, including the Catholic Church and Mormon Church, on Senate President Peter Courtney or Chairman Prozanski. “We call on all senators, especially Senators Courtney and Prozanski, to side with children who have been sexually abused, and not with powerful institutions that would cover up abuse,” said Nees.
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Contact these Legislators and ask them to support passing this bill:
Chairman Floyd Prozanski (D – Eugene)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1704
Email:sen.floydprozanski@state.or.us
Senate Pres. Peter Courtney (D –
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1600
Email: sen.petercourtney@state.or.us
Sex abuse suit filed against Oregon Adventists
KTVZ.com
Associated Press
April 10, 2009
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A $6 million lawsuit has been filed against the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Oregon claiming it allowed a teenager with a history of sexual misconduct to abuse a young boy and girl in the early 1990s.
The lawsuit filed Thursday by Portland attorney Kelly Clark alleges church officials knew or should have known the teen was dangerous because of similar incidents in Washington state.
The lawsuit says the teenager, identified only by the initials "S.H.," was providing child care "under the direction and authority of the church."
An attorney for the church, Richard Whittemore, declined comment.
In a statement, Clark said the teenager was later convicted of child abuse while working at the Oregon School for the Blind.
The law firm settled a similar case last year against the church involving him.
Lawsuit claims sexual abuse by teen with Seventh Day Adventists
by Helen Jung
The Oregonian
Thursday April 09, 2009
A brother and sister are suing a Salem church and the Western Oregon Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists for alleged sexual abuse in the 1990s by a then-teenage babysitter for the church.
The lawsuit claims the babysitter, a teenage boy at the time, fondled the brother and sister several times while watching the two, who were very young at the time.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday morning in Multnomah County Circuit Court, alleges the church knew or should have known about a prior abuse accusation in Washington state against the teen and not have allowed him to serve in positions of trust and authority.
The complaint, which seeks more than $3 million for each plaintiff, states that the abuse occurred both at the East Salem Seventh-day Adventist Church and at the plaintiffs’ home. The brother, now 18, was between 18 months and 3 years old at the time of the alleged abuse. The sister, now 20, was between 4 and 6 years old, the suit says.
The alleged abuser, the lawsuit says, was later convicted in 1995 of child abuse while employed by the Oregon State School for the Blind. He confessed to abusing the brother and sister at the time.
An attorney for the Adventists, Richard J. Whittemore, declined to comment on the case’s specifics.
"We will thoroughly and aggressively investigate this case and try it in court," he said.
The plaintiffs live in Oregon and remain devout Adventists, said their attorney, Kelly Clark, who has sued several religious entities and other organizations on behalf of clients alleging sex-abuse.
Clark said he did not name the alleged abuser in the lawsuit out of deference to a client who felt naming him in the suit could negatively affect his progress in rehabilitation.
But Clark confirmed that the alleged abuser was sentenced in 1995 to 20 years’ probation and ordered into a four- to five-year intensive treatment program at the Oregon State Hospital.
Clark said he is filing the lawsuit now, because the brother just turned 18 and, as an adult, could follow through on his wish to
– Helen Jung; helenjung@news.oregonian.com
Sex Abuse Lawsuit Filed Against Oregon Adventists, Salem Church
Reference:
For More Information:
Kelly Clark
O: (503) 306-0224
C:(503) 407-7381
Kellyc@oandc.com
April 9, 2009
Portland, ORE—A new childhood sexual abuse lawsuit was filed today in Multnomah County Circuit Court against the Western Oregon Conference of the Seventh Day Adventists and the East Salem Seventh Day Adventist Church. The suit alleges that a then-teenage boy, referred to in the lawsuit only as “S.H.,” acting under the direction and authority of the church, sexually abused two children, siblings, in connection with his role as a childcare provider. The suit alleges that the church knew or should have known that the young man was dangerous to children, as a result of a prior incident several years earlier in Washington State. The suit alleges both negligence against the East Salem Church and vicarious liability against the Conference. The man was later, in 1995, multiply convicted of child abuse in his role as an employee at the Oregon School for the Blind.
This is at least the second lawsuit filed against the Adventist Church for the Conduct of S.H., according to Kelly Clark, an attorney with the Portland firm of O’Donnell Clark & Crew LLP who frequently handles childhood sexual abuse claims, and is the attorney for the Plaintiffs in this case. Clark previously filed a case in August, 2007, against the East Salem Church and the Adventist Conference on behalf of a 23 year-old woman who was abused by this same perpetrator. That case was settled in late 2008, just days before trial.
The plaintiffs in this case are two siblings, now 18 and 20 years of age, who were, at the time of this abuse, very young. According to Clark, the little boy was just a year or two, and the girl was about five. “We would not even know about the abuse of the little boy,” said
The suit contends that both plaintiffs have experienced permanent psychological damage as the result of the abuse. Clark contends that the teen’s background either was, or could have easily been, fully discovered by a reasonable investigation by Church authorities. The suit contends that the perpetrator had a history of sexual misconduct involving children in Washington State, and was under restrictions, either legal or family, to have no contact with children. Clark has filed two other cases against the Oregon Adventists in the last six months as well, both arising out of Roseburg, one from the Milo Academy, and one involving the Roseburg Junior Academy. Those cases are still pending.
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View the Official Complaint.
Florence extended care center sued
The Associated Press
Oregonlive.com
February 20, 2009
FLORENCE, Ore. (AP) — An extended living center in Florence is being sued for alleged abuse and neglect for the second time in two years.
A lawsuit was filed Thursday in Lane County on behalf of an unidentified couple for $1 million against Elderberry Square.
Attorney Kelly Clark said the 80-year old man was suffering from advanced dementia. Clark said when his wife visited him over two months she repeatedly found him unattended and soiled in his own waste and that he fell several times and broke a wrist.
Clark said the previous suit was brought in 2007 and was prompted by the death of an Alzheimer’s patient who allegedly was also repeatedly left unattended.
He said in that case state investigators determined the allegations to be documented.
Elder Assisted Living Facility Hit With Second Lawsuit
“Our position is that you don’t get a second chance, let alone a third, when it comes to protecting vulnerable senior citizens” Attorney Kelly Clark
(EUGENE, Ore.) – Elderberry Square, an assisted living facility located in Florence, Oregon is the subject of a second lawsuit in as many years, alleging severe neglect and abuse.
The $1,000,000 lawsuit was filed today in Lane County Circuit Court against Elderberry Square, brought by the wife and guardian of an 80-year old man, who at the time of his admission to the facility was suffering from advanced dementia.
This suit alleges he was left alone and unsupervised, resulting in repeated falls, one of which resulted in a broken wrist. In addition, the man’s wife, on numerous visits to Elderberry, found her husband unattended and soiled with his own waste matter.
All of this occurred in the little more than two-month period following his admission to Elderberry.
“Our position is that you don’t get a second chance, let alone a third, when it comes to protecting vulnerable senior citizens,” said Kelly Clark of the firm O’DONNELL CLARK & CREW LLP, which filed the lawsuit.
“What is enraging beyond belief is that this is the second time – just that we know of – that this kind of thing has happened at Elderberry.”
A similar lawsuit was filed by Clark against Elderberry in 2007, involving an Alzheimer’s patient who was repeatedly left unattended, resulting in numerous falls within the two-week period of time following his admission to Elderberry.
The last of these falls, according to the lawsuit, caused his death. In that case, a state investigation determined the allegations of neglect to be substantiated. In the current case, investigators from the Oregon Department of Human Services looked into two complaints against Elderberry and determined the allegations of wrongdoing to be substantiated. However, the agency’s final report on one of the complaints reversed the investigator’s conclusions.
Mr. Clark and his client plan to challenge this finding through an appeal.
Both lawsuits allege that the management and admissions personnel at Elderberry actively misrepresented that they have the expertise, experience, and staffing necessary for the laborintensive work of caring for Alzheimer’s and senile dementia patients. “It was classic bait and switch,” said Clark, adding, “We believe they knowingly misled these vulnerable families.”
Media Release_Elder Assisted Living Facility Hit With Second Abuse Suit
Reference:
Lane Country Circuit Court – Case Number 16-09-03668
For More Information:
Kelly Clark
O: (503) 306-0224
C:(503) 407-7381
Kellyc@oandc.com
February 19, 2009
Eugene, Ore—Elderberry Square, an assisted living facility located in Florence, Oregon is today the subject of a second lawsuit in as many years, alleging severe neglect and abuse. The $1,000,000 lawsuit was filed today in Lane County Circuit Court against Elderberry Square, brought by the wife and guardian of an 80-year old man, who at the time of his admission to the facility was suffering from advanced dementia.
This suit alleges he was left alone and unsupervised, resulting in repeated falls, one of which resulted in a broken wrist. In addition, the man’s wife, on numerous visits to Elderberry, found her husband unattended and soiled with his own waste matter. All of this occurred in the little more than two-month period following his admission to Elderberry.
"Our position is that you don’t get a second chance, let alone a third, when it comes to protecting vulnerable senior citizens,” said Kelly Clark of the firm O’Donnell Clark & Crew LLP, which filed the lawsuit. “What is enraging beyond belief is that this is the second time – just that we know of – that this kind of thing has happened at Elderberry.”
A similar lawsuit was filed by Clark against Elderberry in 2007, involving an Alzheimer’s patient who was repeatedly left unattended, resulting in numerous falls within the two-week period of time following his admission to Elderberry. The last of these falls, according to the lawsuit, caused his death. In that case, a state investigation determined the allegations of neglect to be substantiated. In the current case, investigators from the Oregon Department of Human Services looked into two complaints against Elderberry and determined the allegations of wrongdoing to be substantiated. However, the agency’s final report on one of the complaints reversed the investigator’s conclusions. Mr. Clark and his client plan to challenge this finding through an appeal.
Both lawsuits allege that the management and admissions personnel at Elderberry actively misrepresented that they have the expertise, experience, and staffing necessary for the labor-intensive work of caring for Alzheimer’s and senile dementia patients. “It was classic bait and switch,” said Clark, adding, “We believe they knowingly misled these vulnerable families.”
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Lawyers disputing Jesuits’ estimate of assets
by Bryan Denson and Nancy Haught
The Oregonian
Wednesday February 18, 2009
The ink on the Northwest Jesuits’ bankruptcy filing was still drying Wednesday when wrangling over the value of the Catholic order’s assets commenced.
Officials at a handful of Jesuit-sponsored institutions said they don’t belong to the Jesuits and aren’t subject to their legal problems, while lawyers who represent people sexually abused by priests said the province has grossly underestimated its worth.
Kelly Clark, a Portland lawyer who has represented victims of Jesuit priest abuse, said he was surprised to read that the Jesuits declared assets of just $4.8 million in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing late Tuesday in Portland. And he expects a legal fight over properties commonly associated with the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, better known as the Jesuits.
"They’re going to say that they don’t own Jesuit High School, Gonzaga University, Seattle University and maybe other institutions — even though those institutions were Jesuit established, Jesuit dominated," Clark said. "I think the legal question will be, are they Jesuit controlled for purposes of determining equitable ownership? So there are going to be a number of hard-fought legal battles."
Clark said the Jesuits’ estimate of assets isn’t unprecedented. In 2004, he said, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland underestimated the value of its assets in its initial bankruptcy filing, a calculation that — after much legal wrangling — was corrected by the court. He predicted a similar battle ahead for the Jesuits.
The Oregon Province of Jesuits, including its leader, the Rev. Patrick J. Lee, would not comment on the bankruptcy on Wednesday, said spokesman Pat Walsh. But the leadership of Jesuit High School, St. Andrew Nativity School and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps said their institutions are not owned, financed or governed by the Jesuit province and that the bankruptcy won’t affect their programs.
"We have never shared assets with the province," said John Gladstone, president of Jesuit High School in Beaverton. The school has been separately incorporated since its founding in 1956, he said. Expecting that the Oregon Province might declare bankruptcy, the school consulted its own attorneys. "They looked at our bylaws, how we’re set up financially and structurally … and they told us we’re very safe," he said.
In a letter sent to the parents of Jesuit High’s 1,160 students Wednesday, Gladstone and Principal Sandy Satterberg said there were no pending claims against any Jesuit High priest and that the school is "not at risk in any way as a result of the province’s bankruptcy filing."
Lawyers who represent victims of alleged abuse by Jesuit priests scoffed at Tuesday evening’s comments by Lee, who had described the order’s decision to file for Chapter 11 reorganization as the only way to offer a fair settlement to claimants.
"Does anybody really believe that the Jesuits, who’ve raped hundreds and hundreds of Native (American) kids, are filing bankruptcy to help them?" asked John Manly, a Newport Beach, Calif., lawyer who represents native Alaskans who have accused Jesuit priests and their colleagues of sexual abuse.
Tuesday’s filing wasn’t an altruistic endeavor, he said, describing it as a calculated effort to prevent more victims from coming forward, halt the legal discovery process — and the bad press that comes with it — and downplay the order’s assets.
"I’ve been litigating with these guys for the better part of 10 years," Manly said. "I’ve never seen them try and help a victim. Their idea of help is to file a motion for summary judgment and dismiss. They fought the Alaska Supreme Court to get these cases dismissed and lost, and that’s why they’re in bankruptcy — not to help people, (but) because essentially their legal options have run out."
West Coast cases filed
by Bon Babwin and William McCall
Associated Press
Wednesday February 11, 2009
In other developments, a Portland, Ore., man has filed a $4 million lawsuit against the Franciscan Friars of California, alleging childhood sexual abuse by a priest.
In an unrelated lawsuit seeking $3.25 million, a pastor for the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and its Roseburg Junior Academy was accused of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl in 1992.
The complaints were filed by Portland lawyer Kelly Clark, one of the lead attorneys in a number of sexual abuse cases against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland that ended in a $50 million settlement in 2007. Three years earlier, the archdiocese was the first in the nation to declare bankruptcy.
Calls to Franciscan officials were not immediately returned Wednesday.
An Adventist spokeswoman referred calls to an attorney, who was not immediately available.
The lawsuit against the Franciscan Friars, a Catholic order, was filed Wednesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
A 62-year-old man listed only by his initials alleges he was abused as a teenager by Father Claude Riffel at the St. Francis Minor Seminary in Troutdale, east of Portland, in the early 1960s.
According to the lawsuit, Riffel was dean of discipline for the school when he would call the teenager out of class on the pretext of assigning work and then abuse him.
In a statement released with the lawsuit, Clark noted the Franciscan Friars of California is an independent Catholic organization unaffiliated with any diocese.
The lawsuit against the Adventist pastor, who was identified only by his initials, alleges he took the 5-year-old girl to an isolated area of the Roseburg Junior Academy during a "week of prayer" and abused her.
Clark called the case "one of the worst I have seen."
The girl is now 21 and attends community college, he said.
Oregon firm files abuse lawsuits against churches
2/11/2009
The Associated Press
www.OregonLife.com
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Portland man has filed a $4 million lawsuit against the Franciscan Friars of California, alleging childhood sexual abuse by a priest.
The 62-year-old man was listed only by his initials in the lawsuit filed Wednesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
The Franciscan Friars are an order of the Roman Catholic Church. The complaint alleges the man was abused as a teenager by Father Claude Riffel at the St. Francis Minor Seminary in Troutdale in the early 1960s.
In an unrelated lawsuit seeking $3.25 million, a pastor for the Western Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and its Roseburg Junior Academy was accused of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl in 1992.
The pastor was identified only by his initials.
Priest Abuse Lawsuit Filed Against Franciscan Order
February 11, 2009
For More Information:
Attorney Kelly Clark
(503) 306-0224 or kellyc@oandc.com
Portland, Ore–Today a Portland man filed a $4M child sexual abuse lawsuit against the Franciscan Friars of California, an order of the Roman Catholic Church, for abuse he suffered as a child at the hands of Father Claude Riffel at the St Francis Minor Seminary in Troutdale in 1962-65. According to the lawsuit, Fr Riffel, then the Dean of discipline for the school, would call the then 15 year old boy out of class on the pretext of assigning him work tasks, at which time he would abuse him. The abuse occurred, according to the suit on “scores” of occasions.
The case was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court by Portland attorney Kelly Clark, who frequently handles such cases against churches, schools, the Boy Scouts, athletic leagues and other “institutions of trust” that work with children. St Francis Seminary was owned and operated by the Franciscan Friars, headquartered in California. The Franciscan Friars of California is a part of the worldwide Catholic order of Franciscans, formally known as the Friars Minor. It is an independent Catholic entity unaffiliated with any diocese, including the Archdiocese of Portland, which filed for bankruptcy protection in 2004 as a result of a torrent of child abuse lawsuits.
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