KSTP
May 26, 2011
http://kstp.com/article/stories/s2129662.shtml
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Attorneys for Jeff Anderson & Associates say they have filed a lawsuit on behalf of a 21-year-old Blaine man who claims he was sexually abused at the age of 15 by his youth pastor.
The lawsuit names Emmanuel Christian Center of the Assemblies of God in Spring Lake Park, its youth pastor in 2005, Paul Brandon, and the Minnesota District Council of the Assemblies of God.
According to the St. Paul based law firm, the lawsuit claims the church and its district council had a policy that allowed the youth pastor to have overnight stays with children, and should be held responsible for negligent supervision of the pastor.
According to the complaint, the victim was sexually abused by Brandon in the summer and fall of 2005 when the pastor held church sponsored sleepovers at his residence in Brooklyn Park. The law firm says Brandon was convicted in 2010 of criminal sexual conduct for the plaintiff's abuse and the abuse of another victim. Brandon is currently on probation.
Attorneys from Jeff Anderson & Associates accuse the church and its district council of negligent supervision of Brandon, negligence of providing a secure environment for the plaintiff and vicarious liability for the misconduct of Brandon.
The church says a background check was conducted on Brandon, and it no longer allows adult supervised sleepovers at homes of volunteers because "the safety and security of our students is our highest priority."
Click here to view the complaint filed by Jeff Anderson & Associates
[Click here to view the 2009 complaint filed by Hennepin County Against Brandon.]
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