By Adam Rosen
Berwyn Life
January 14, 2010
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/stickney/features/x1672010886/Berwyn-Senior-Advocate-under-investigation-for-past-of-sexual-assault
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| Senior Advocate Frank Paduch in 2005. |
Berwyn, IL — The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests is calling for the City of Berwyn to investigate an employee after the network learned he allegedly sexually abused five boys in the 1980s.
Barbara Blaine, SNAP’s founder and president, submitted a letter to the Berwyn City Hall Thursday asking for an investigation into Senior Advocate Frank Paduch’s past and why he failed to disclose the information about his past when he was hired.
A civil lawsuit in was filed in Cook County Circuit Court against Paduch in 1997 alleging Brother Frank Paduch sexually abused a student while at St. Rita High School in Chicago during the 1980-81 school year. The lawsuit claims the victim, a freshman at St. Rita during the 1980-81 school year, was sexually assaulted by Paduch.
The lawsuit settled for an undisclosed amount two years later. Blaine said two of the additional four alleged victims have come forward through an attorney, but none have filed a lawsuit against Paduch.
Blaine said she became aware of Paduch’s past after several citizens reported to her organization that Paduch was working for the city close to a school. Paduch works at the Berwyn Cultural Center at 6420 W. 16th St., which sits across the street from Lincoln Middle School.
“We are urging you to take immediate action to safeguard Berwyn’s citizens,” Blaine’s letter states. “We’re especially worried because he works near a school and in a community center where a theatre company is located.”
Blaine also alleges Paduch, who has worked for the city since July of 2005, lives with Josh Hamilton, a registered sexual offender. Hamilton, who shares the same address as Paduch, was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse in Tennessee, according to the Illinois Sex Offender Information registry.
Berwyn City Administrator Brian Pabst received the letter and said Police Chief William Kushner will comment on the issue Friday.
Contact: arosen@mysuburbanlife.com
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