Late Red Sox clubhouse chief accused of '90s abuse

[Dover]

Source: AP

http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/HGo_6fYpGjIdwa9khE3rjg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9MTgwMDtjcj0xO2N3PTE3NDY7ZHg9MDtkeT0wO2ZpPXVsY3JvcDtoPTE5NjtxPTg1O3c9MTkw/

BOSTON (AP) — A man who worked as a teenager in the Red Sox clubhouse with big-name players such as Roger Clemens and Wade Boggs said his "dream job" ended abruptly when the clubhouse manager sexually assaulted him.

Charles Crawford and another Massachusetts man are now accusing Donald Fitzpatrick, who died in 2005, of abusing them in the early 1990s. The statute of limitations has expired for filing lawsuits, but the men are seeking $5 million settlements from the team.

During a news conference Monday, Crawford said Fitzpatrick assaulted him twice inside the clubhouse at Fenway Park — once in an equipment room and once in a restroom. He was 16 at the time.

"People need to know what happened," said Crawford, who agreed to have his name used. "It's still mind-boggling to me."


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/red-sox-clubhouse-chief-accused-90s-abuse-141402490.html

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...sigh

Well I guess it's time to clean house ... and I'm sure these stories coming to light are just the tip of the iceberg.

[emilyg]

1. Makes me sick.

[Lint Head]

2. I think this type of thing will get worse. It seems people are going through an age of awakening.

The truth is actually setting people free. People are more open to speaking about these things today. There is less of a taboo and more support for the victims.

[izquierdista]

3. The only ones to make out here will be the lawyers

The only thing more difficult to prove than a "he said, she said" case is a "he said, he's dead" case.

[tularetom]

4. True or not I'm betting they won't make a dime from these lawsuits

Maybe the guy did molest them, but he can't even defend himself now that he's dead.

This has the smell of opportunism. The alleged abuser has been dead for 6 years, the abuse happened 20 years ago and they only now feel motivated or empowered to file claims against the Red Sox. Only now, in the wake of the sensational and apparently true Penn State scandals.

I'm afraid that people claiming abuse are going to start coming out of every nook and cranny because lawyers will start beating the drums for victims of molestation to come forward. I wouldn't even be surprised to see sleazy lawyer ads on TV appealing to victims of sexual abuse by priests, counselors, coaches, scoutmasters, and teachers 20 or 30 years ago.

[Dover]

5. Fitzpatrick had been accused of sexually abusing children before

In 2002, he pleaded guilty in Florida to attempted sexual battery on a child under 12. The team also settled a lawsuit with seven Florida men who said Fitzpatrick molested them during spring training beginning in the 1970s.



That said, I agree... don't know how this can be tried after the accused is dead.

[No Elephants]

6. Garabedian was one of the lead lawyers in the Massachusetts Catholic Church lawsuits.

Statute of limitations, new ownership. Tough case.