In a shocking lawsuit, Melvin 'Mickey' Boutilier, the founder of Special Olympics Maine, has been accused of grooming and sexually abusing a 9-year-old boy over a period of two decades [4380cd57]. The plaintiff, Mark Frank, alleges that Boutilier manipulated him into accompanying him on business trips, provided him with employment, and used threats to keep the abuse a secret. Frank claims that Special Olympics Maine was aware of Boutilier's history of abuse and should have taken action to stop him. Both Special Olympics International and Special Olympics Maine have expressed shock and sadness at the allegations and are conducting their own investigations [4380cd57].
The lawsuit, filed in Maine, seeks unspecified damages. It is worth noting that the statute of limitations on civil lawsuits for childhood sexual abuse was loosened in Maine, allowing Frank to bring the lawsuit [4380cd57]. Frank alleges that he has suffered severe emotional and psychological damage as a result of the abuse. Attorney Michael Bigos is encouraging other potential victims to come forward [4380cd57].
Melvin Boutilier passed away in 2012, and his sister, who was also accused of abuse, passed away in 2022 [4380cd57]. The lawsuit alleges that Special Olympics Maine knew about Boutilier's history of abuse and failed to take appropriate action to protect children. The organization has expressed its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants [4380cd57].
This lawsuit highlights the importance of accountability and the need for organizations to take immediate action when allegations of abuse arise. It also serves as a reminder that victims of abuse can seek justice even after many years have passed [4380cd57].
In another case of child molestation, former Rhode Island teacher Nicholas Oliveira has been found guilty of molesting three girls under the age of 14 [4a8a1443]. The incidents took place in 2016 and 2017 and were reported in 2019. Oliveira, a close family friend of the girls, was accused of touching two of them while they were sleeping over at his house, and the third girl said the incident occurred at a party. Oliveira worked as a special education teacher in the Cumberland School District and as an after school educator at the Lincoln YMCA. He is awaiting trial on a charge of first-degree child molestation in Connecticut. The jury took about three hours to return the guilty verdicts. Oliveira was not present in court for closing arguments or the verdicts as he was hospitalized for unknown reasons. He had been out on bail since his 2020 arrest, but the bail was revoked after sentencing [4a8a1443].
In a separate case, former Bethlehem Police Department officer Costas Alestas, 43, will be charged with multiple offenses for the alleged sexual assault of a student and filming another at East Hills Middle School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania [059ade98]. The allegations involve Alestas' interactions with at least two victims, aged 14 and 11. The investigation began on May 1 after officials learned of Alestas' interactions with a student at the school. Alestas provided the student with his personal cell phone number, and they communicated through text messages. The text messages turned into secret meetings in Alestas' office, where he allegedly kissed, groped, and had the victim strip nude. Alestas also sexually assaulted the child in his office while wearing his police uniform. The documents allege that Alestas took the victim to secluded locations, including a parking lot and a park and ride lot, where further assaults occurred. Alestas has been terminated by the police department, and Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Knott expressed shock at the allegations. District Attorney Stephen Baratta called for a policy prohibiting school resource officers from meeting one-on-one with students alone in their offices. Alestas is currently in custody at the Northampton County Jail and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday [059ade98].
Michael Betz, a 50-year-old fugitive wanted by police in New Hampshire for child pornography possession, was found at a hotel in Plainfield, Connecticut. Betz was taken into custody on June 7, 2024, after Plainfield officers conducted a patrol check and located his vehicle in the hotel parking lot. He was charged with five counts of possession of child sexual abuse images and five counts of distribution of child sexual abuse images. Betz informed officers that he had a handgun, which was seized by the Plainfield Police Department. He was also charged with criminal possession of a firearm and held on a $500,000 bond. Betz was scheduled to be arraigned at Danielson Superior Court on Monday [20205283].
Austrian-Canadian auto parts billionaire Frank Stronach is accused of sexually assaulting three different complainants in alleged incidents that took place in Toronto and Aurora, Ontario. The alleged incidents occurred in 1980, 1986, and last year. Stronach has been charged with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault on a female, one count of forcible confinement, and two counts of sexual assault. Stronach's lawyer denies the allegations and says his client looks forward to responding to the charges. Stronach, the founder of Magna and The Stronach Group, has had no affiliation with Magna since 2010 [5428de00].