Union Gospel Mission wrestles with 1970s sex abuse allegations

Union Gospel Mission in the Twin Cities has settled a sexual abuse case that happened in the early 1970s involving an employee and a teenage boy, the organization's CEO disclosed Friday.

The victim alleged he was molested by one of the caretakers at a foster home run by Union Gospel Mission, CEO Charles Morgan said. A second potential victim has also come forward, but Morgan said an internal investigation did not substantiate that claim.

"The mission does not feel that they have a compelling story or argument or that it has merit, so that will be determined in litigation," he said.

The victim's attorney, Aaron Eken, said he plans to file the lawsuit in Ramsey County District Court on behalf of a Florida man next week. The lawsuit alleges that the head of Union Gospel Mission at the time of the incidents had received reports of the employee abusing children in the past, yet assigned him to work at the St. Paul foster home.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for the victim's past and future "pain and mental anguish."

Union Gospel Mission no longer has foster homes, but Morgan said he hopes the organization is not "harmed or damaged by something that happened almost 45 years ago, because we have a long tradition of really bringing wholeness, solace, comfort, scaffolding and help to people that are in great need."

The former employee now lives out of state.

Morgan said the organization conducts rigorous vetting and training for employees to ensure that people in their care are safe.

Eken said Union Gospel Mission was notified of the claims before a state deadline last May that allowed victims of past sexual abuse to come forward but that a nondisclosure agreement had been in place.