Abuse case dismissed in Haiti but alleged victims may have their day in court in Maine

By David Sharp

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PORTLAND, Maine _ An advocate for sexual abuse victims says a defamation lawsuit likely will provide the only venue for young men to testify in open court now that Haiti officials have dismissed a case against the man accused of abusing them.

In Maine, Paul Kendrick says he welcomes a trial because it’s important for the alleged victims to air their allegations against Michael Geilenfeld, a U.S. citizen who was released from custody this week in Haiti.

Kendrick said as many as seven men from Haiti are willing to testify against Geilenfeld.

Geilenfeld and St. Joseph’s Home for Boys have denied the allegations. Geilenfeld and a North Carolina non-profit that raises money for the orphanage have sued Kendrick in federal court in Maine. Lawyers involved in the case say the defamation case will now go to trial, as soon as this summer.

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