A high-profile college football coach, facing criminal charges for sexually abusing minors, is now the subject of a personal injury lawsuit filed by a man that claims the coach abused him as a child over 100 times and threatened his parents not to tell anyone, as reported by the Boston Globe.
The allegations in the new lawsuit are not included in the current criminal charges filed against the former coach, J.S.
The victim, known as John Doe in the suit, is now 29 years old. He claims that the sexual abuse occurred when he was a child, from 1992 to 1996. Doe states that J.S. abused him in the college locker room while on trips and at a game.
Doe, via his attorney, released this statement: "I am hurting and have been for a long time because of what happened, but feel now even more tormented that I have learned of so many other kids were abused after me."
From when he was 10 to age 14, Doe claims that J.S. abused him over 100 times. J.S. allegedly told the youth that he would harm him, and his family members, if he didn't keep quiet about their sexual trysts.
Doe claims to have met J.S. in 1992, through a children's charity that the coach had founded, The Second Mile, which is also named in the suit along with the university.
Doe's attorney Jeff Anderson, who specializes in priest abuse cases, said, "We need to address the institutional recklessness and failures. Was it because of power, money, fear, loyalty, lack of education?"
J.S. has claimed that he did not abuse any boys and that he is only guilty of showering with them in the locker room.
The university said it had yet to see the lawsuit, and J.S.'s attorney did not return calls for comment.
The Second Mile has also not reviewed the lawsuit but offered, "The Second Mile will adhere to its legal responsibilities throughout this process. As always, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families."
The lawsuit contends that J.S., while getting to know the boy through his charity, plied him with gifts, travel and privileges.
J.S. is facing criminal charges of abuse from eight men - that were boys at the time - claiming that they were victims of J.S.'s sexual abuse for a time span of over 15 years. Authorities at the university were allegedly not made aware of the abuse, though they have been accused of having knowledge of at least one incident.
Several college employees have departed in the wake of the allegations: school president G.S, coach J.P., Athletic Director T.C. and vice president G.S.
G.S. and T.C. are also facing criminal charges of lying to the grand jury and for their failure to report to police. G.S., T.C. and J.S. have maintained that they are innocent.
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