Spring Lake Park Church Volunteer Accused Of Abuse
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A 21-year-old Blaine man who claims he was sexually abused by a former youth volunteer at a Spring Lake Park church has sued the church and the volunteer.
The lawsuit filed Thursday in Hennepin County claims Emmanuel Christian Center of the Assemblies of God was negligent in its supervision of 47-year-old Paul Brandon.
The victim claims that in 2005, when he was 15, Brandon sexually assaulted him during church-sponsored sleepovers at Brandon's Brooklyn Park home.
Brandon was convicted last year of assaulting two teens, including the plaintiff. He's on probation. He did not immediately return a message Thursday.
The church says a background check was conducted on Brandon. And it no longer allows adult supervised sleepovers at homes of volunteers because "the safety and security of our students is our highest priority."
(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
