Seven women are among 10 new individuals who recently filed federal lawsuits alleging they were repeatedly sexually abused and trafficked by former Harvest Christian Fellowship pastor Paul Havsgaard while living in now-defunct children’s homes in Romania operated by the California megachurch.
The new lawsuits, which also name Harvest Christian Fellowship, founder Greg Laurie and missions pastor Richard Schutte as defendants, join 12 others previously filed by men alleging similar abuse as teenagers.
The filings state that Havsgaard engaged in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places in violation of U.S. law and accuse Laurie and Schutte of aiding and abetting Havsgaard's conduct, failing to prevent the abuse and covering it up for 20 years. The church has previously denied allegations that its leaders covered up abuse.
While Harvest states that they reported the allegations against Havsgaard to local authorities, the Riverside Police previously confirmed with CP that there are no active investigations into Havsgaard. It remains unclear where Harvest reported the allegations.
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The new lawsuits, which also name Harvest Christian Fellowship, founder Greg Laurie and missions pastor Richard Schutte as defendants, join 12 others previously filed by men alleging similar abuse as teenagers.
The filings state that Havsgaard engaged in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places in violation of U.S. law and accuse Laurie and Schutte of aiding and abetting Havsgaard's conduct, failing to prevent the abuse and covering it up for 20 years. The church has previously denied allegations that its leaders covered up abuse.
While Harvest states that they reported the allegations against Havsgaard to local authorities, the Riverside Police previously confirmed with CP that there are no active investigations into Havsgaard. It remains unclear where Harvest reported the allegations.
7 women among 10 filing new sex abuse lawsuits naming Paul Havsgaard, Harvest Christian Fellowship
Seven women are among 10 new individuals who recently filed federal lawsuits alleging they were repeatedly sexually abused and trafficked by former Harvest Christian Fellowship pastor Paul Havsgaard
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