Current:Home > FinanceLawsuit alleges ‘widespread’ abuse at shuttered youth facility operated by man commuted by Trump-InfoLens
Lawsuit alleges ‘widespread’ abuse at shuttered youth facility operated by man commuted by Trump
View Date:2024-12-23 10:16:46
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Eight former residents of a youth treatment center that was run by an Arkansas man whose bribery conviction was commuted by former President Donald Trump have filed a lawsuit claiming they were victims of “systematic and widespread” abuse at the now-shuttered facility.
Attorneys for the former residents of the Lord’s Ranch said the lawsuit is the first of several to be filed in the coming weeks alleging abuse at the facility that closed in 2016 after owner Ted Suhl was convicted in a federal bribery scheme. Suhl’s conviction was commuted by Trump in 2019.
“Men and women who owned, operated, and staffed the facility preyed on and abused the children housed on the remote facility in Warm Springs, Arkansas routinely and systematically,” the lawsuit filed Monday in federal court said.
The lawsuit against Suhl and others claims the unnamed residents were victims of repeated sexual abuse and rape by an employee of the facility, describing the abuse in graphic detail. The employee, who is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, had not been charged by police with abuse. An attorney who represented Suhl in his bribery case did not immediately respond to a message Tuesday.
“Children at the Lord’s lived in constant fear, knowing that they were alone in a remote, unfamiliar environment far from home and at the complete mercy of a sadistic staff,” the lawsuit said. “For many children, survival meant compliance with the physical and sexual abuse.”
The ranch — later named Trinity Behavioral Health — opened in 1976 and was licensed in 1987 by the state as a residential child care facility.
The lawsuit claims Suhl and others at the ranch made an “intentional, fully conscious decision” to allow the abuse to occur and threatened victims who spoke up.
A federal jury in 2016 found Suhl guilty of charges related to paying up to $20,000 in cash bribes over four years to a state health official in hopes of receiving inside information to benefit his businesses. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, but was released after Trump commuted his sentence to time served.
The White House in 2019 called Suhl “a pillar of his community before his prosecution and a generous contributor to several charities” in its statement announcing Trump’s commutation. Suhl’s clemency request had been supported by former Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Attorneys for the residents said they represent at least 30 who have also claimed abuse at the facility. The attorneys said they’re filing additional lawsuits, citing a January 2024 deadline under a recent Arkansas law that extended the statute of limitation on child sex abuse cases.
“Each story is worse than the next,” attorney Martin Gould told reporters in a Zoom call on Tuesday with attorney Josh Gillispie.
The call included audio recordings from two of the plaintiffs discussing the impact the abuse had on them. One of the plaintiffs said the years he spent at the ranch were “the worst, most horrific experiences I can remember.”
veryGood! (51413)
Related
- Taylor Swift touches down in Kansas City as Chiefs take on Denver Broncos
- US boxer Jajaira Gonzalez beats French gold medalist, quiets raucous crowd
- Team USA men's water polo team went abroad to get better. Will it show at Paris Olympics?
- How deep is the Olympic swimming pool? Everything to know about its dimensions, capacity
- When do new episodes of 'Cobra Kai' Season 6 come out? Release date, cast, where to watch
- American Morelle McCane endured death of her brother during long road to Olympics
- Simone Biles says she has calf discomfort during Olympic gymnastics qualifying but keeps competing
- Paris Olympics in primetime: Highlights, live updates, how to watch NBC replay tonight
- John Robinson, successful football coach at USC and with the LA Rams, has died at 89
- Photos and videos capture intense flames, damage from Park Fire in California
Ranking
- College football top five gets overhaul as Georgia, Miami both tumble in US LBM Coaches Poll
- In first Olympics since Russian imprisonment, Brittney Griner more grateful than ever
- 1 killed in Maryland mall shooting in food court area
- US men's basketball looks to find 'another level' for Paris Olympics opener
- Don't Miss Cameron Diaz's Return to the Big Screen Alongside Jamie Foxx in Back in Action Trailer
- Serena Williams' Husband Alexis Ohanian Aces Role as Her Personal Umbrella Holder
- Gymnastics Olympics schedule: When Simone Biles, USA compete at Paris Games
- Don't wash your hands, US triathlete Seth Rider says of preparing for dirty Seine
Recommendation
-
Tony Hinchcliffe refuses to apologize after calling Puerto Rico 'garbage' at Trump rally
-
Thousands battle Western wildfires as smoke puts millions under air quality alerts
-
Apple has reached its first-ever union contract with store employees in Maryland
-
Olympic gymnastics women's recap: Simone Biles puts on a show despite tweaking left calf
-
Bridgerton's Luke Newton Details His Physical Transformation for Season 3's Leading Role
-
Boar's Head issues recall for more than 200,000 pounds of liverwurst, other sliced meats
-
Eiffel Tower glows on rainy night, but many fans can't see opening ceremony
-
Victor Wembanyama leads France over Brazil in 2024 Paris Olympics opener