After criticism, mission agency seeks greater amends over Haiti abuse scandal

PITTSBURGH (PA)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

September 2, 2019

By Peter Smith

MILLERSBURG, Ohio — As the number of victims of alleged sexual abuse by a former American missionary to Haiti began to grow in recent weeks, so did an outcry from their advocates at reports that his former employer was offering them quick financial settlements without their lawyers present.

On Saturday, an attorney for the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries acknowledged that some representatives of the large agency did make settlement offers to the alleged victims in Haiti — but the agency is calling that effort to a halt.

The news comes shortly after the ex-missionary at the center of the scandal, Jeriah Mast, appeared before a judge in this northern Ohio town last week on charges of molesting five Ohio youths. Mr. Mast remains under investigation for his actions in Haiti, where he served for many years as a missionary before fleeing in May in the wake of new allegations.

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