In a significant ruling that paves the way for a trial centering on sexual abuse in a famed youth basketball program, a New York judge last week denied Riverside Church’s motion for summary judgment against ex-Riverside Hawks player Daryl Powell.
Powell is one of 27 men who have sued Riverside, accusing the church of negligence for failing to protect them from alleged sexual abuse. Ernest Lorch, who founded and coached the basketball program and who died in 2012, is accused of numerous acts of sexual abuse against players. Sportico has extensively covered the scandal and its accompanying litigation.
In her order, Judge Sabrina Kraus underscored the far-reaching sway and authority of Lorch. He developed the Hawks into “one of the most powerful” AAU programs in the country. Lorch also used sponsorships, including with Nike, to supply free apparel to players, whom he helped to place into elite college basketball programs….
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