Settled Pursuant To A Confidentiality Agreement-Second Largest Clergy Sexual Abuse Case In New Jersey According To The Star Ledger Newspaper.
J.F., E.J., B.S., C.S., G.T., R.W., J.B., S.B., C.S.* 1 , S.D., J.J., B.D., K.E., J.B.*, M.B., W.M., C.D., A.B., D.S., M.R., W.M.*; Plaintiffs, vs. PASTOR R.L.S. (Deceased), Individually; THE ESTATE OF PASTOR R.L.S., REVEREND J.M.E, Individually; ST. THOMAS LUTHERAN CHURCH; NEW JERSEY SYNOD; EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA (then known as the American Lutheran Church and/or the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and/or Lutheran Church in America); REV. E.R.R., JR., BISHOP;
REV. DR. L.A.; ST. THOMAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY; PRINCIPAL S. OF ST. THOMAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY; GOVERNING BOARD OR BODY OF ST. THOMAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY; SCHOOL BOARD OR BODY INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
A clergy sexual abuse lawsuit that alleged numerous children were sexually molested during the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s by a deceased Pastor of the St. Thomas Lutheran Church.
The defendant Pastor R.L.S. was employed as a Minister and/or Pastor with the Lutheran Church in New Jersey and was employed to carry out the duties of a Lutheran minister in the congregation.
At all times relevant, Plaintiffs all minor boys were on the premises of St. Thomas Lutheran Church, part of the New Jersey Synod and looked to Pastor R.L.S. as a religious leader, moral role model and generally as a figure of trust and compassion.
Pastor R.L.S. utilized guile, undue influence, misrepresentation and other pedophilic grooming behavior to initiate, continue and secretly preserve his sexual abuse of minor plaintiffs by exploiting the young and tender age of plaintiffs by threatening plaintiffs that he (plaintiff) would get in trouble if they told, and by abusing/exploiting the trust relationship developed between minister/pastor and plaintiffs.
During the course of the times spent in the Pastor’s office at the Church, Pastor R.L.S. touched minors directly and through their clothing on their intimate parts for the purpose of sexually arousing or gratifying Pastor R.L.S. and in the presence of minor plaintiffs.
As a direct and proximate result of the conduct described herein above, plaintiffs have suffered physical injury; severe emotional distress; diminished enjoyment of life; diminished enjoyment of childhood; difficulty and an inability to focus; difficulty and an inability to perform educational tasks; anxiety; depression; humiliation; pain of mind and body; embarrassment; is and has been unable to live a normal life; is and has been unable to engage in normal development and activities; suffers from self-destructive behavior patterns and will continue to do so in the future; will in the future be caused to endure severe pain in mind and body; was prevented and will in the future be prevented from engaging in their normal daily activities.
After significant litigation and all testimony under perjury of law of plaintiffs case resolved before trial during a mediation for an undisclosed amount.