A 35-year-old man is suing the Boys and Girls Club of the Los Angeles Harbor, alleging he was sexually assaulted as a 12-year-old boy in 2002-03 by a youth sports employee.
The club is denying the allegations of the plaintiff, identified only as R.S., and has filed a cross-complaint against the alleged perpetrator, Jose “Joe” Leal. R.S., now 35, alleges he was sexually abused by Leal when the plaintiff was 12 years old. Leal was an athletic coordinator and basketball coach for the club’s youth programs.
R.S.’ Los Angeles Superior Court negligence lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. According to R.S., the club provided youth development programs in the areas of the arts, character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills as well as sports, fitness and recreation. The programs are tailored for youths age six to 18.
The club aims to provide young people with a safe environment for them to learn and grow, the suit states.
“Parents entrusted their children to (the club) with the expectation that their children would be kept physically safe and protected from sexual predators,” the suit further states.
Leal allegedly used his position to establish relationships of trust and friendship with R.S. and other children to sexually abuse them, according to the suit. Leal began with inappropriate touching he pretended was a joke and eventually started kissing victims in the presence of other employees, the suit states.
Leal also took the youths home and on one occasion only R.S. and a teammate were present when Leal sexually assaulted both with further inappropriate contact, the suit filed Sept. 23 further alleges.
In their court papers, club attorneys deny R.S.’ allegations and say the plaintiff “failed to exercise ordinary and reasonable care on his own behalf.”
The club lawyers have also filed a cross-complaint against Leal that seeks compensation from him in the event the club is found liable to R.S.
A case management conference is scheduled for April 9.
