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	Program Founder Faces Sex Charge By Fred Contrada The Republican October 14, 2010 http://www.masslive.com/metrowest/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-28/1287040625136360.xml&coll=1 NORTHAMPTON - Ernest H. Lorch, founder of a basketball program for underprivileged youth in New York City, has been indicted by a Hampshire County grand jury for sexually assaulting one of his basketball players during a tournament in Amherst more than 30 years ago. Lorch, now 77, of Ardsley, N.Y., founded the Riverside Church basketball program in New York City as an outreach program in the 1960s. He built it into one of the country's top basketball programs and made himself a basketball czar who influenced who could play and coach at local high schools and colleges, according to a story in The New York Daily News. Players who competed for Lorch included future NBA stars Chris Mullin, Ron Artest and Mark Jackson. The indictment charges that between March of 1977 and April of 1978, Lorch indecently assaulted and attempted to rape the alleged victim in Amherst. Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Jane Mulqueen said Wednesday that the victim, who is referred to only as "B.W." in the indictment, was one of Lorch's basketball players and was 17 at the time. The man, now 50, came forward with the complaint earlier this year. Mulqueen said the statute of limitations does not apply in this case because Lorch has never resided in Massachusetts and the clock stops ticking on the charge once the suspect leaves the state. According to news accounts, Lorch was investigated by the Manhattan District Attorney's office in 2002 after a former player complained of sexual abuse. However, charges were never brought because the statute of limitations had expired in that state. Lorch has paid a total of $640,000 to settle two lawsuits filed by former players, according to the Daily News. Contact: fcontrada@repub.com
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