By Leslie Boyd
Citizen-Times
March 22, 2008
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080322/NEWS01/80322009
ASHEVILLE For years, three members of the Clement family endured sexual abuse by their church's music minister.
Leonard Smith was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison Nov. 29 for crimes that spanned 20 years.
But the family also wants the Church of God in Christ held responsible, and on Thursday, the family filed suit in Guilford County against Smith, Sycamore Temple Church of God in Christ in Asheville, and the state and national organizations governing it.
Alvin Clement, now a state trooper in Guilford County, filed suit with four John Does and Sylvia Clement, guardian for a minor John Doe.
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| Leonard Smith |
Family spokesman David Clement said the local church knew what was happening, and the state and national offices of Church of God in Christ knew about Smith's crimes but allowed him to continue in his church and jurisdiction jobs.
"This is a long process," David Clement said. "If we hadn't contacted the state and national offices and been blown off by them, we wouldn't be doing this."
The lawsuit charges that the church, state office and denomination "knew, or should have known about the lengthy history of child abuse and sexual molestation engaged in by their employee, defendant Leonard Smith," and that they "failed to take steps to stop Smith's behavior and conduct."
The lawsuit brings claims of civil battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence, and asks a minimum of $10,000 for each plaintiff, legal fees and "such other relief as the court shall deem reasonable and appropriate."
Contact Leslie Boyd at 828-232-2922, via e-mail at LBoyd@CITIZEN-TIMES.com
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