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	Lawsuit: Priest Sexually Abused Teen Boy in 1980s By Kevin P. Connolly Orlando Sentinel July 7, 2010 http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/crime/os-orlando-priest-new-sex-abuse-lawsu20100707,0,3826456.story A new lawsuit filed against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando marks the latest allegation of sexual abuse involving former priest Richard Emerson. A lawsuit filed in Orange County late last week alleges Emerson sexually abused a 15-year-old boy at St. Charles Borromeo parish while he served as an altar boy between 1987 and 1989, a statement released today said. The Orlando Sentinel confirmed the suit was filed Thursday and has obtained the document. Emerson resigned as a priest about four years ago. A spokesperson for the Diocese of Orlando was not immediately available to respond to the allegations made in the civil complaint. Several other victims, including at least four from Central Florida, have filed lawsuits involving Emerson. The latest suit was filed by the Miami law firm of Mermelstein & Horowitz on behalf of John Doe No. 13, a new release from the firm said today. The alleged victim is 38 and lives in suburban Detroit. The complaint states that "John" moved with his family to Orlando in about 1985. They were described as "devout" Catholics. By 1987, the suit says, John was introduced to Emerson at St. Charles Borromeo and he "quickly became Father Emerson's favorite altar boy." They developed a "counseling relationship" as well as a "close friendship," according to the complaint. But the suit goes on to alleged that Emerson "intentionally sexually abused and molested John" repeatedly during a two-year period starting in 1987. "The sexual abuse typically occurred while John was serving as an altar boy or in some other rile under the direction of Father Emerson," the suit alleges. Once, the alleged abuse occurred in a hotel room during an overnight stay. The suit goes on to say the priest "frightened, intimidated, and coerced John into not disclosing Father Emerson's horrific sexual acts to anyone." Following the abuse, John was left with "feelings of guilt, shame and humiliation," the suit states. He was also confused about having sexual contact with someone who would hear his confessions and feared retribution from Emerson and the church if he spoke of the abuse, the complaint alleges. At the time, Emerson was priest with the Diocese of Gary, Ind., with permission to serve with the Orlando Diocese, according to the lawsuit. He was under the supervision of the bishops in both Gary and Orlando. The lawsuit names the Diocese of Orlando and Dale J. Melczek, bishop of Diocese of Gary, as defendants. A spokesperson for the Gary Diocese was not immediately available. The suit alleges that church officials in both states knew Emerson "was engaging in inappropriate sexual relations with boys" but failed to prevent these encounters or warn parishioners or children placed in contact with the priest. "The defendants had a policy of concealment in response to discovery of child sexual abuse or allegations of abuse," the lawsuit states, adding that this policy was consistent with Vatican-issued policy holding that allegations of sexual abuse be held in "strictest" secrecy. This is not the first lawsuit naming Emerson. In May, a Volusia County resident, Jason Bell, filed suit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando and the Diocese of Gary, alleging Emerson abused him at St. Charles Borromeo. Emerson also served in St. Peter's Catholic Church in DeLand and Holy Family Catholic Church in Orlando in 1990 and 1991. While in Central Florida, Emerson was on temporary assignment from Indiana and returned there in 1991. Attorneys filing the most recent lawsuit say Emerson was named in "numerous child sexual abuse lawsuits" in both states. On Thursday, those attorneys also filed a notice of a related case filed in 2005, involving another individual. That case is still active in Orange Circuit Court, according to online court records. Adam Horowitz, attorney for John Doe No. 13, said in a statement, "Father Emerson was placed in a position of authority with young boys after church officials knew of his dangerous sexual behavior. "Tragically, Father Emerson left a trail of child victims when church officials could have prevented them from being hurt," Horowitz said. The Diocese of Gary placed Emerson on administrative leave in December 2004 after sexual-abuse allegations were raised. He resigned in 2006. Emerson may be living in the Atlanta area, today's news release said. This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
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