Church Leaders to Probe Claims of Molestation

LAGUNA HILLS — Episcopal leaders said Saturday they are opening a new investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against the rector of St. George’s Episcopal Church after two parents said at an emotional church meeting that their teenage children had been molested.

This week, the Rev. Thomas Sandy of St. George’s Episcopal Church and Academy was barred from performing priestly functions pending a church trial on charges he was involved in sexual misconduct with a teenager nearly 15 years ago in Evansville, Ind.

On Saturday, Episcopal leaders held a meeting at the church to explain the trial procedure to parishioners and allow them to voice their thoughts. But the tone of the meeting, which drew about 100 people, took a stunning change when parents raised new allegations that Sandy had engaged in sexual misconduct with their sons in 1991 and 1996.

The parents, both church members, said they had never complained to church officials before. Nor had they reported their allegations to police or the district attorney’s office.

“I don’t like a lot of secrecy, and I think people should know what happened,” said one mother, who accused Sandy of sexual misconduct. “My son was having a personal crisis and his trust was betrayed [by Sandy].”

A third parent had no specific allegations of misconduct, but said she left St. George’s church in 1991 after she overheard her son and his friends speak of sexual molestation going on at the church.

“When I heard that I turned toe-to-heel and left this church,” said the mother. “I hope the truth will set us free.”

Sandy has denied the allegations in the Indiana case. He did not attend Saturday’s meeting and through his attorney, John D. Barnett, declined to comment.

Barnett, however, sharply criticized the new claims of molestation.

“The allegations are categorically and flatly denied,” he said. “It is unfortunate and tragic that when a priest of 25 years is accused of sexual misconduct, the result of that accusation is that others tend to seek to add to that false allegation.”

Church leaders acknowledged that complaints had been filed locally against Sandy five years ago, but said none of those accusations involved sexual matters or were as “grave or serious” as those aired Saturday. An internal St. George’s committee investigated those earlier complaints but found the evidence inconclusive, they said.

“This is still the United States of America and there has to be evidence for these things before we can act,” said the Rt. Rev. Frederick H. Borsch, bishop of the Los Angeles Episcopal Diocese, which includes Orange County.

Some parishioners rose Saturday to defend Sandy, saying the rector has guided them through spiritually troubled times. One parishioner pledged $500 for a defense fund for Sandy.

“I know what it’s like to be falsely accused,” said one parishioner. “I was accused of child molestation, too, but sued my accusers and won a substantial judgment against them.”

However, other parishioners heatedly pressed church leaders about when they knew about the allegations of sexual misconduct and why they were only being informed now.

The Rev. Gary R. Hall, sexual misconduct officer for the Los Angeles Episcopal Diocese, said Saturday’s allegations were as shocking to him as to the congregation and will be looked into immediately.

“These are brand new allegations, we haven’t heard about them until today,” Hall said. “None of the complaints before were of this nature.”

Church leaders said they could not discuss specifics of the Indiana case because it might prejudice an upcoming church trial. If that trial finds Sandy guilty, he could be stripped of his priesthood.

On Tuesday, the diocese’s standing committee of four clergy and four lay members returned a “presentment” against Sandy in the Indiana case, after a 17-month investigation. A presentment is the church’s equivalent to an indictment.

According to the diocese, Sandy was accused in December 1995 of having been involved in sexual misconduct 13 years earlier with a then-teenage boy.

No trial date has been set in the case.

In the meantime, Sandy remains on full salary and benefits.