ALASKA
KTVA
By Ben Deci
He founded Nome's radio station; the Archdiocese of Fairbanks; and the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province.
But, there is a sinister side to Father James Poole's biography. The noted Northern Alaska Leader is now facing a fourth suit alleging sexual abuse of a parishioner.
If the allegations are true, this would be Father Poole's youngest victim to come forward. In the suit, she’s called Jane Doe Four. She claims the abuse happened at a Catholic school session when she was seven- years-old.
The woman says Father Poole pulled her into a side room and exposed himself by lifting his robe. Then he allegedly, tried touching her. According to the suit, the alleged acts happened in the late 1960's, which, was right at the beginning of Father Poole's 40-year tenure in Northern Alaska.
"What’s really frightening about this--not only is the youngest child victim of Father Poole that we've come across. This is the first victim that has told us the he used his status as a catechism teacher to access children,” said attorney, Ken Roosa.