He may be the first non-cleric sued under new law
It takes effect on Jan. 1 & will spur “many lawsuits”
Young victim told his mom & she told church officials
But they kept predator on the job & warned no one
Little-known provision in the law allows triple damages
A Los Angeles Catholic school teacher may be the first secular employee sued in California under a new state law that takes effect January 1.
The new lawsuit, filed on December 23, 2019 in Los Angeles Superior Court, charges that Raymond Callie, who worked at Holy Angels Elementary School in Arcadia (northeast of Los Angeles), sexually abused a 12 year old in 1968. The boy told his mom and she reported to church and school officials, who met with them but refused to take action against Callie or call police or Child Protective Services.
The suit is made possible by an assembly bill that passed overwhelmingly and was signed in to law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October. It enables anyone in California who was sexually violated as a youngster to use the civil courts to expose and hold accountable anyone who committed or concealed the crimes.
Already, several clerics across California have been named in child sex abuse and cover up cases under the measure. Callie, however, may be the first Catholic employee educator to be exposed through the new law, says Dr. Joseph C. George, an attorney/psychologist who represents the victim.
“Nearly a thousand lawsuits were filed in 2003, when the legislature passed a similar one year ‘window’ for abuse victims,” said Dr. Joseph C. George. “I’m sure there’ll be at least that many cases this time, likely far more.”
The ‘window’ will be open for three years this time. A little-known aspect of the law allows for juries to award triple damages to abuse victims.
“Our hearts ache for this brave, wounded man,” said David Clohessy, former long-time director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. “All child sexual abuse is horrific. But it’s especially horrific when a kid finds the courage to report promptly to authorities and is essentially disbelieved, rebuffed and kept in harm’s way.”
The crimes took place in the locker room after Callie pulled the boy, identified in the suit as “John Doe 194,” out of the classroom.
“I urge anyone who saw, suspected or suffered crimes by Callie or cover ups in the Los Angeles Diocese or other diocese to file a report with the Attorney General’s office,” says Doe.
The school is at 360 Campus Drive in Arcadia and is now headed by Principal Aimee Dyrek (626-447-6312, https://www.holyangelsarcadia.net/apps/contact/). It is run by the Los Angeles archdiocese which is now headed by Archbishop Jose Gomez (213-637-7000, communications@la-archdiocese.org).
CONTACT
Dr. Joseph C. George Ph.D. (916) 802-7949 cell, (916) 641-7300 office, jcg@psyclaw.com,
Maricar A. Pascual, (707) 342-4722 cell, (916) 641-7300 office, maricar@psyclaw.com,
David Clohessy (314) 566-9790, davidgclohessy@gmail.com
