CHARLESTON (WV)
WCHS/WVAH
March 27, 2019
By Jessi Starkey
Former West Virginia Bishop Michael Bransfield is facing new sexual assault allegations after an alleged victim came forward to say he endured years of abuse by Bransfield.
A lawsuit was filed by the alleged victim against the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese, former Bishop Michael Bransfield and 20 unknown men in the church.
In a 21-page lawsuit the alleged victim identified as J.E. claims he was sexually assaulted by Bransfield, who is now banned from any leadership position in the church. His attorney Bobby Warner told Eyewitness News his client was pursuing his dream of joining the clergy. The lawsuit says J.E. was in seminary school when he encountered the abuse. The alleged sexual assault caused J.E. to drop out of seminary school, and he stated he feared coming forward to talk about the alleged abuse.
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