$13.5 Million Judgment against Jehovah's Witnesses in Child Abuse Case

By Steve Fiorina
10 News
October 31, 2014

http://www.10news.com/news/135-million-judgment-against-jehovahs-witnesses-in-child-abuse-case

[with video]

A $13.5 million judgment was handed down in San Diego Superior Court against Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, which oversees Jehovah's Witnesses.

It is specific to allegations of abuse of a 7-year-old boy who attended the Spanish Congregation bible study at the Jehovah's Witnesses church in Linda Vista.

Team 10 uncovered the story last year; Gonzalo Campos, a leader of those classes, admitted abusing children on a video deposition and avoided prosecution by fleeing to Mexico.

Attorney Irwin Zalkin said there are many victims protected by secrecy within the church.

"This problem of childhood sexual abuse within the Jehovah's Witnesses organization is insidious and it is an epidemic. $10,500,000 of that is punitive damages; intended to punish them, to send a message that their type of conduct is reckless and reprehensible and needs to stop."

The victim, Jose Lopez, said, "It's been very hard on me. It's never going to be over. I don't think it's ever ... life changing, tragic."

Lopez, now 36, added, "When I have to leave my kids at church, I can't. I don't know."

Lopez said he now tries to attend Christian churches but he's protective of his three sons.

When asked about Campos, Lopez said, "I would just tell him how much he hurt me and I just want him to be behind bars where he belongs; he's a coward."

Watchtower issued this statement:

"Jehovah's Witnesses will appeal the decision of a California judge in a case involving an alleged act of child abuse.

The trial court judge rendered a multimillion-dollar damage award to a man who claims that he was molested once in 1986 by one of Jehovah's Witnesses who held no position of responsibility in the congregation. The trial court judge awarded $3 million in compensatory damages against Watchtower and added $10.5 million in punitive damages following a hearing at which Watchtower was barred from participating. Watchtower believes the appellate court will ultimately agree that the trial court abused its discretion by terminating its right to defend itself in this case."

Mario Moreno, associate general counsel for Watchtower, also commented: "Jehovah's Witnesses abhor child abuse and strive to protect children from such acts. The trial judge's decision is a drastic action for any judge to take given the circumstances of this case. We will seek a full review of this case on appeal."