Ore. man claims sex abuse by Mormon youth leader

Jason jsipe on November 16, 2009

Associated Press – November 16, 2009 2:45 PM ET

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A Mormon youth leader in Oregon has been accused of sexually abusing a boy in the mid-1970s in a lawsuit filed Monday in Portland.

The lawsuit filed by Portland attorney Kelly Clark on behalf of a man who is now 46 alleges the abuse occurred repeatedly between 1974 and 1977 in Woodburn.

The lawsuit claims the youth leader for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a music teacher at the time, and the abuse was later reported to a church bishop.

But the complaint alleges that no abuse was reported to law enforcement.

A lawyer for the church, Steve English, said the church “absolutely and unequivocally” condemns sex abuse and will investigate.

The lawsuit identified the youth leader as Michael Simms and seeks nearly $5 million in damages.

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