Man Commits Suicide At The Camp Linked To Sen. Brown
SANDWICH (CBS) – A man committed suicide Wednesday at the camp linked to Sen. Scott Brown's sexual abuse claim, as more people have now emerged alleging abuse at the camp.
WBZ-TV's Christina Hager spoke with a stunned co-worker.
Workers at the camp tell WBZ-TV that Chuck Devita shot and killed himself at Camp Good News in Sandwich Wednesday morning.
Devita, 43, had worked at the camp for several years. The Camp Good News website describes Devita as the head of the camp's Physical Plant. The camp's secretary, Cathy Chiccotelli described Devita as a good person.
"You couldn't ask for a nicer person," said Chiccotelli.
Devita apparently left a note, saying he was tired of being investigated as a child molester.
A source tells CBS News that child sex abuse allegations against Devita were made two weeks ago, dating back to incidents in 1985. The accuser is now 35 years old, which would make Devita 18 and the child 10 at the time. The source also confirms that Sandwich Police were alerted to Devita by a former camp employee as recently as September 2002 for possession of child pornography.
Other campers WBZ talked to couldn't believe the allegations, and the fact that Devita apparently took his own life.
"He was so nice, and could fix anything for you. He was a man of God, I can't begin to beleive it, " said Jaimie Costa, a camper.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker reports
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Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who represents one of the former campers, said three additional people called him on Wednesday to say they were abused at that camp. Two of them named Devita as the abuser, while the third person named somebody else.
WBZ-TV's Beth Germano spoke to Garabedian:
But, Garabedian says his main concern now is his current client, who recently brought the allegations against Devita this week. He said that client is numb after hearing about Devita's death because he wanted to confront him in court.
"It's sad. You don't want to hear of anyone dying or committing suicide, so you want to respect the fact that he passed away," said Garabedian.
Garabedian added the crimimal case against Devita will now disappear but he said he plans to file a civil lawsuit on behalf of his client.
Investigators released a joint statement Wednesday afternoon.
"This individual, an employee of Camp Good News, was the subject of a recent allegation of abuse of a child. The allegation was of an historical nature. Notwithstanding the discovery today, any and all allegations of abuse will continue to be investigated concerning this camp. The matter remains under investigation by Sandwich PD, the State PD and DA's Office."
The camp also issued a brief statement:
"The Camp Good News family is deeply saddened by the loss of our long time employee. Our heartfelt prayers are with Chuck's family."
Sen. Brown had little to say when asked about the incident by a reporter in Washington, D.C.
"I don't have any of the facts," he said and walked away.
WBZ's Jon Keller reports on the potential fallout for Sen. Brown:
These new allegations follow revelations from Sen. Brown that he was molested while at a summer camp on the Cape when he was a child.
Brown has never confirmed the name of the camp, but Camp Good News has confirmed Brown was there when he was 10 years old. The camp also sent a letter of apology to Brown.
Garabedian said his client initially came forward after learning about Brown's incident.
WBZ-TV's Bill Shields contributed to this report.
