A California man has filed a lawsuit against Wyckoff Township, N.J., and its Parks and Recreation Department, alleging that a former athletic director in the town sexually abused him repeatedly during the early 1980s.
As reported by Anthony G. Attrino of NJ Advance Media, the victim states in court papers he was a parks department volunteer and participant when Leonard Loran allegedly sexually abused him on multiple occasions from 1980 to 1982.
“During the time Loran was employed by defendants, he used his positions with them as an athletic director and employee of the recreation and parks department to groom and sexually abuse plaintiff,” states the suit, filed last week in state Superior Court in Bergen County, N.J.
Wyckoff Township administrator Matthew Cavallo on Tuesday declined to comment on the pending litigation. “We remain committed to addressing all legal matters through the appropriate legal channels,” Cavallo said, as reported by Attrino.
Attrino added that court records show Loran pleaded guilty on Nov. 18, 1997, to fourth-degree criminal sexual contact and was sentenced on Jan. 30, 1998, to four years of probation and required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law. Loran died on Oct. 21, 2016.
The lawsuit alleges a violation of the New Jersey Child Sex Abuse Act, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit states the alleged abuse took place in the athletic director’s office and in multiple locations owned or managed by the township, Attrino reported. The suit further claims the township knew or should have known about the potential harm to the victim and failed to take reasonable steps to protect him.
“Defendants failed to have adequate safeguards, safety protocols and procedures in place to prevent child sexual abuse from occurring at the hands of minors,” the lawsuit alleges.
The victim alleges he suffered permanent physical and psychological issues that required treatment.
