Exclusive: Sex trial looms at Fifth Avenue church

We have received notification of a complaint filed against St Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, its choir school and a named staff member, who is accused of grooming and seducing a student there some 20 years ago.

The complaint reads, in part:

1 This action arises out of the sexual abuse of the Plaintiff by Defendan [name redacted], a paid choir member, professional singer, and lay clerk at Defendants Church and School, owned, supervised, controlled, and/or operated by or under Defendant Episcopal Diocese of New York, while Plaintiff was a minor….

5. In and around the ages of approximately 10-16 years old Plaintiff attended Defendants Church and School where Plaintiff was repeatedly sexually abused by Defendant [redacted], a paid choir member, professional singer, and lay clerk at Defendant Church and Defendant School.
6. Plaintiff’s claims are timely under the provisions of the Child Victims Act creating a now twoyear window, beginning August 14, 2019, within which to file previously barred claims regarding childhood sexual abuse….

40. In approximately 2004, when Plaintiff was approximately 16 years of age, Defendant first sexually abused Plaintiff. Upon information and belief, Defendant continued to be a paid employee at both Defendants Church and School in 2004 and 2005. During this same time period, approximately 2004 through 2005, Plaintiff was contacted by Defendants School and Church and asked to work on a website project. In that same time period, Plaintiff was also working with Defendant on a Book of Psalms musical compilation intended for Defendants Church and School.

Further documents pertaining to the impending lawsuit can be found here.

St Thomas recently revealed plans to close its choir school.