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[Adam]

http://www.hermanlaw.com/

[Johann]

http://www.hermanlaw.com/

impressive

[DARVO]

Adam, what exactly does this mean?  The Dunn Loring Community Church of God has now been pulled into Alex's lawsuit?  I have attended the church for many years and would appreciate more than a mere posting of a link to an attorney's website with a subject line reading, "Re: Meet Jeff Herman new counsel against 3ABN/Community Church of God."

[Adam]

That is correct. The church will be involved as well.  They knew about Tommy Shelton, yet still allowed him to pastor their church! Documentation will prove this.  

I may also add unlike, John Manly, this firm believes there is indeed a case against the church, the leaders, and the parties associated with allowing Tommy to regain his license after they was suspended in 1985 by the Anderson Association.

[Adam]

Jeff Herman is a nationally-recognized trial lawyer and advocate for survivors of rape, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. He is a trailblazer in the representation of victims of sexual abuse, devoting 100% of his practice to the cause.  Over his career he has represented hundreds of brave men, women and children.  Over the past 2 decades, Jeff has has built a national practice and has become one of the nation's leading childhood sexual abuse attorneys and pioneers, a true champion of his clients' rights.  Jeff is the founding and managing partner of Herman, Mermelstein & Horowitz, P.A., a law firm based in Miami, Florida, that represents clients nationwide.

For more than 25 years, Jeff has enjoyed a reputation for aggressive and tireless advocacy on behalf of his clients.  He understands the unique issues involved in the representation of survivors of rape and sexual abuse.  His clients come to him with different needs, which is why he is committed to helping them navigate the other issues that may arise for survivors, such as developing a support system of counselors and advocates, or participating in the criminal prosecution of the perpetrator.  Jeff knows that healing from sexual abuse is a complex, multi-dimensional journey and that a civil lawsuit is only one part of that journey, albeit an important one.  He believes that empowering abuse victims is the most important part of representing them.  Victims of rape, sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation from all over the United States seek Jeff out to represent them in civil lawsuits.

In order to ensure the best possible outcome for his clients, Jeff is personally involved in each and every case that our firm handles.  He manages each case from intake to final resolution.  Jeff has personally represented:

hundreds of victims of clergy sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church, including the Archdiocese of New York, Archdiocese of Denver, Diocese of Orlando, Marianists Religious Order, and more than 100 cases against the Archdiocese of Miami

a young woman who alleges she was raped on board a cruise ship

men who allege they were sexually abused by their Scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts

men who allege they were sexually abused as members of the Columbian Squires, the official youth organization of the Knights of Columbus

a woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted during a CAT scan at a South Florida hospital

women who allege they were sexually assaulted during the course of a massage at a luxury spa resort

a high school student who alleges she was raped by her math teacher in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

children who allege they were sexually abused by their foster father

children who allege they were sexually abused by a rabbi at their yeshiva in New York

boys and girls who allege they were sexually abused by teachers in public and private schools

a mentally handicapped man who alleges he was raped by another resident at his group home

young girls who allege they were forced to perform sexual acts on the teenage son of their pre-kindergarten teacher at a Miami day care

men and women who allege they were sexually abused as children in overseas dormitories run by New Tribes Mission, a worldwide Christian missionary organization

a teenager who alleges he was sexually abused at Thompson Academy, a residential facility for juvenile offenders in Florida

preschoolers who allege they were sexually abused by a volunteer at their preschool

On the legal front, Jeff has been a pioneer in developing new legal strategies to avoid the statute of limitations defense in cases involving childhood sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy brought by adult survivors in several states, including Colorado and Florida.

Jeff knows that community advocacy is vital to the prevention of childhood sexual abuse.  Jeff is honored to serve on the Board of Directors of KidSafe Foundation, a South Florida-based non-profit organization dedicated to preventing the sexual abuse of children through various educational programs.  He has also appeared as a featured speaker at community programs involving sexual abuse.Given his knowledge and reputation in the legal community, Jeff has taught Continuing Legal Education classes for other attorneys on litigating sexual abuse cases and trial techniques.  He has also trained law enforcement, victim-witness liaisons, and other attorneys in cooperation with the National Crime Victim Bar Association.

Over the course of his career, Jeff has appeared in national and international media hundreds of times.  Jeff's work has been featured on CNN, Fox News, and in pages of the New York Times.  In recent years, Jeff has been a regular guest on Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor to offer commentary and insight on various sexual abuse topics, including protecting children and healing from abuse.

Jeff is admitted to practice in Florida. He has been admitted pro hac vice in cases across the United States, including Colorado, Indiana, New York, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Jeff is a native of Cleveland, Ohio.  He attended Case Western Reserve University School of Law, earning his Juris Doctorate in 1985.  During that time, he served as the Editor of the Journal of International Law and President of the International Law Society.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona in 1982.

Publications:

"Protecting Our Children"  [Link to PDF]

Slaughtered Souls (working title of manuscript to be published in 2012)

[Snoopy]

What happened to Mitch?

[Johann]

I suppose everything starts again from the beginning now with no consideration to negotiations with the former lawyers?

[Snoopy]

I suppose everything starts again from the beginning now with no consideration to negotiations with the former lawyers?

I was referring to this thread, started by Adam on May 20:

http://www.adventtalk.com/forums/index.php/topic,2134.0.html

[JustWondering]

That is correct. The church will be involved as well.  They knew about Tommy Shelton, yet still allowed him to pastor their church! Documentation will prove this.  

I may also add unlike, John Manly, this firm believes there is indeed a case against the church, the leaders, and the parties associated with allowing Tommy to regain his license after they was suspended in 1985 by the Anderson Association.

Below are some questions that come to mind after reading Adam's post.

Adam, you said:"They knew about Tommy Shelton, yet still allowed him to pastor their church! Documentation will prove this."

What did the church know and how can this be proven? When you say the church, who at the church?  Was the church or someone connected to the church only aware of allegations or did they know more and is this proveable?  What did they know in or near 1985?  Did they find out more after this and not take action?

Adam, you said: "...and the parties associated with allowing Tommy to regain his license after they was suspended in 1985 by the Anderson Association."

Did TS regain the same license that was suspended in 1985?  Or did another organization issue him a new license?  Did the regained or new license expire and if so, was it renewed?  Who are "the parties associated with allowing Tommy to regain his license?"  Does TS still have a license?

I remember some bits and pieces of the information that was posted earlier on other sites, but can't remember the exact details.  Can someone post the files that were on the blacksda site or other sites that are no longer accessable?  What other documentation is available elsewhere related to the VA church and TS?

There must have been statements by people for the letter from "GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF GOD IN ILLINOIS," (posted on save-3abn.com) to be sent.  If so, are these statements documented?  According to that letter, there were four reasons they suspended TS's license.

"This action was taken for the following reasons:
1. Improper counseling procedures followed by you and admitted by you.
2. Numerous charges of misconduct reported to this committee.
3. We have been advised that an investigation is underway by the West Frankfort Illinois Police Department concerning criminal sexual abuse charges against you.
4. Controversy surrounding your ministry and personal lifestyle."

After this letter was sent, I believe TS continued to pastor the Ezra Church of God.  What did those at the Ezra church know when they asked him to continue or come back as their pastor?  What about the folks that approved this?  Instead of starting to go after the last place he pastored (in VA), it makes sense to start with those who first allowed TS to continue being a pastor after the initial allegations.  If the folks from the VA church knew of any allegations they would have most likely talked to the folks at the Ezra church who allowed him to continue being their pastor.

Looking back now it is easy to say that the General Assembly of the Church of God in IL made the right decision.

By the way, wouldn't it be best to wait until after the criminal trials before starting civil cases?

Thanks to anyone that is able to provide any answers or additional information.

[Adam]

That is correct. The church will be involved as well.  They knew about Tommy Shelton, yet still allowed him to pastor their church! Documentation will prove this.  

I may also add unlike, John Manly, this firm believes there is indeed a case against the church, the leaders, and the parties associated with allowing Tommy to regain his license after they was suspended in 1985 by the Anderson Association.

Below are some questions that come to mind after reading Adam's post.

Adam, you said:"They knew about Tommy Shelton, yet still allowed him to pastor their church! Documentation will prove this."

What did the church know and how can this be proven? When you say the church, who at the church?  Was the church or someone connected to the church only aware of allegations or did they know more and is this proveable?  What did they know in or near 1985?  Did they find out more after this and not take action?

The church new of Tommy's past before hiring him to take over Bro. and Sis. Woods position.  This can be proven through countless board meeting minutes. Pastor Wood and Sister Wood are guilty parties. They knew about Tommy's past yet allowed him to pastor. They even assigned people to watch over Tommy and monitor him. Why take precautions such as these if they wasn't worried? Why would they ask Tommy to install a glass window in his office door?



Adam, you said: "...and the parties associated with allowing Tommy to regain his license after they was suspended in 1985 by the Anderson Association."

Did TS regain the same license that was suspended in 1985?  Or did another organization issue him a new license?  Did the regained or new license expire and if so, was it renewed?  Who are "the parties associated with allowing Tommy to regain his license?"  Does TS still have a license?

No, he did not. However, he did through another association based out of Dun Loring Va. that Pastor Woods was the president of. Who was the parties? Pastor Wood, Glenn Dryden, Arnold Edmondson, just to name a few. I believe Tommy sent his last license back to the counsel.

I remember some bits and pieces of the information that was posted earlier on other sites, but can't remember the exact details.  Can someone post the files that were on the blacksda site or other sites that are no longer accessable?  What other documentation is available elsewhere related to the VA church and TS?

There must have been statements by people for the letter from "GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF GOD IN ILLINOIS," (posted on save-3abn.com) to be sent.  If so, are these statements documented?  According to that letter, there were four reasons they suspended TS's license.

"This action was taken for the following reasons:
1. Improper counseling procedures followed by you and admitted by you.
2. Numerous charges of misconduct reported to this committee.
3. We have been advised that an investigation is underway by the West Frankfort Illinois Police Department concerning criminal sexual abuse charges against you.
4. Controversy surrounding your ministry and personal lifestyle."

After this letter was sent, I believe TS continued to pastor the Ezra Church of God.  What did those at the Ezra church know when they asked him to continue or come back as their pastor?  What about the folks that approved this?  Instead of starting to go after the last place he pastored (in VA), it makes sense to start with those who first allowed TS to continue being a pastor after the initial allegations.  If the folks from the VA church knew of any allegations they would have most likely talked to the folks at the Ezra church who allowed him to continue being their pastor.

The fact is Alex and the other victims abuse did not happen at Ezra. It happened in Dun Loring. So, that church is responsible.

Looking back now it is easy to say that the General Assembly of the Church of God in IL made the right decision.

By the way, wouldn't it be best to wait until after the criminal trials before starting civil cases?

The fact is the church knew this was coming....One huge question is why didn't John Manly want to go after the church? The fact is there is a case against them, and will be perused.

Thanks to anyone that is able to provide any answers or additional information.

Edit- My responses are in the italic text

[Adam]

What happened to Mitch?

Mitch was on the list of possible attorney's.  As of today, Alex had not heard back from Mitch, had spoken with Jeff Herman and decided to go with him.

[Johann]

I suppose the Church of God has an insurance that will take care of things for them?

[Gregory]

Why would you suppose that?

It is true that some insurance poloicies in the past covered such claims.  Howeer, in the present, most insurance policies do not cuover such.

You are making an assumption as to what type of coverage that congregation would have thought they needed many years ago.  Perhaps they only thought, at that time, that they only needed fire insurance?

You do not get insurance coverage unless you purchase it.

[Adam]

I suppose the Church of God has an insurance that will take care of things for them?

Yes, they do.

[vestedinterest]

I suppose the Church of God has an insurance that will take care of things for them?

I am wondering how someone here might accurately speculate as to the type of insurance policy a Church of God in VA would have? [ But I suppose that is the beauty of speculation - one only has to say "IMHO" or "I suppose" and then not really have to back anything up!]