BishopAccountability.org

Child Victims Act lawsuit says student was victim of sexual misconduct at Chenango Forks

By Anthony Borrelli
BinghamtPress & Sun-Bulletvia PressConnects.com
August 31, 2020

https://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/public-safety/2020/08/31/child-victims-act-lawsuit-chenango-forks-sex-abuse-student/3428667001/

[with video]

A teacher and a janitor who worked in the Chenango Forks Central School District during the 1980s are accused in a Child Victims Act lawsuit of separate instances of sexual misconduct against a female student.

The complaint also claims a pastor at the girl's church tried to persuade her to drop her accusation against the janitor, who attended the same church, saying her accusation "could not be true."

A lawsuit filed Aug. 15 in the state Supreme Court of Broome County on behalf of a woman who was about 17 when she attended high school at Chenango Forks in 1986, claims her social studies teacher, Richard Russ, engaged in sexual misconduct against her. It allegedly began after he'd invite her to his classroom for study halls or to work on projects after school.

Much like other lawsuits under the Child Victims Act, the Aug. 15 complaint argues the defendants, in this case the school district and the church, should've taken action once told about alleged sexual misconduct. The lawsuit, which names the Chenango Forks Central School District and Central Baptist Church as defendants, argues that didn't happen.

The lawsuit said the teacher's wife, who also worked in the school district at the time, walked into the classroom one day and saw the girl sitting on his desk while he sat behind it.

His wife yelled, "What is going on here," according to the lawsuit. After that, Russ told the girl, "We have to cool it."

The lawsuit claims Russ pulled up in his car beside the girl when she was walking home from school one day, and asked her to "hop in."

While in the car, Russ allegedly kissed the girl and then begged her not to tell anyone. He gave her rides home twice a week, according to the lawsuit, and eventually his alleged advances grew bolder.

Accusations against janitorial employee

In April 1986, while the same girl was looking at artwork in a vestibule at the high school, a janitor, Harold Casterlin, allegedly approached her and pinned her between himself and a showcase, according to the lawsuit. The documents allege he subjected her to sexual contact.

When the girl told her mother about the incident, she arranged a meeting with the school's superintendent and the assistant pastor at Central Baptist Church, where they attended. Casterlin also attended church there, the lawsuit said.

After the meeting, school officials agreed to minimize Casterlin's duties at the high school to avoid contact with students, according to the lawsuit.

A church pastor also visited the girl at home and said she must've been lying about Casterlin and that it couldn't be true, according to the lawsuit. The pastor also said it was her Christian duty to forgive him.

On her first day back to school following the meeting with school officials, the lawsuit said, Casterlin was standing in her chair for homeroom, changing a light bulb.

A week after that, the lawsuit said, Casterlin allegedly pinned the girl against a door and fondled her.

He allegedly told her, "Everyone knows I'm not a monster."

After the first incident involving Casterlin that was reported to school officials, the lawsuit said Russ asked the girl why she'd draw attention to herself and that they had to stop being friends. He allegedly told her to "please keep our friendship a secret," and not to ruin people's lives.

The lawsuit also said the girl told a school counselor about her allegations involving Russ, but the counselor told her there was a rumor going around she was "promiscuous," and why would she expect any other kind of treatment if she was going to be "that kind of a young lady."

About the Child Victims Act in NY

More than 4,200 lawsuits under the Child Victims Act have been filed in New York State since August 2019.

An extension for the filing of lawsuits under the act through Aug. 13, 2021, was approved by state lawmakers in May.

The Child Victims Act temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for bringing civil claims related to past sexual abuse accusations, regardless of whether charges were filed.




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