I-Team: Bishop Facing Sex Abuse Lawsuits Appointed to Economic Board

WDSU
May 16, 2012

www.wdsu.com/news/local-news/new-orleans/I-Team-Bishop-facing-sex-abuse-lawsuits-appointed-to-economic-board/-/9853400/13420524/-/7unin5z/-/

[with video]

NEW ORLEANS - A local church leader recently appointed to an area economic development board is facing two lawsuits filed by a man who claims he was sexually abused by the preacher.

Bishop Kevin Boyd Sr. Leads the Church at New Orleans -- formerly named the Apostolic Church at New Orleans. The church is located just off Chef Menteur Highway in the eastern part of the city.

And according to court documents obtained by the WDSU I-Team, that is where, nearly 12 years ago, the alleged abuse began.

Attorney Darryl Phillips filed the lawsuit in federal court. His client claims that, beginning in the year 2000, Boyd sexually abused him.

Darryl Lodge is an adult now, but was 12 years old when he says it started.

"There were sexual encounters not only a the church itself, but at the young man's home, when his mother wasn't there, on out of town or church sponsored events," Phillips said. "This is more than just a he said, she said type of allegation."

The federal lawsuit is the second that Lodge has filed against Boyd. In 2010, Lodge sued in Mississippi state court, making similar allegations.

In that case, he claims, the abuse happened at a Mississippi church. Boyd expanded to the Magnolia State after Hurricane Katrina.

When contacted by WDSU, Boyd acknowledged the lawsuits but said he has been advised by his attorney not to discuss them.

That attorney, Leonard Levenson, said he will vigorously defend his client when the federal case goes to trial this October.

Levenson is not handling the Mississippi proceedings, which remain open.

NEW ORLEANS - Boyd faces no criminal charges related to the matter, and despite the lawsuits, was appointed by District E City Council member Jon Johnson to serve on the board of the New Orleans Regional Business Park. The park is a subsidiary of the state and operates using tax dollars. It oversees business activity in New Orleans East.

In 2010, the I-Team aired a series of reports that examined how its then-director was spending money. The board asked the state's legislative auditor to step in and investigate.

Reached by phone, Johnson told the I-Team that he was not aware of the allegations against Boyd and that he would look into the matter. He said Boyd has only been part of the board for a matter of weeks and, to his knowledge, has not yet attended any meetings.

Joseph Shorter, who now serves at the park's executive director, was also unaware of the lawsuits. He said business park managers have no authority regarding those on the board, as those members are all appointed by elected officials.