the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Wyckoff NJ, a former Wyckoff resident has filed a lawsuit accusing the township and its recreation department of failing to protect him from sexual abuse as a child. The lawsuit, submitted in state Superior Court in Bergen County on August 22, alleges that Leonard Loran, a former athletic director, used his position to sexually abuse the victim during the early 1980s.
According to the lawsuit, the abuse occurred multiple times between 1980 and 1982 in various locations owned or managed by the township, including the recreation director’s office. The victim, who participated in activities at the Wyckoff Recreation and Parks Department, stated that both he and his parents trusted Loran, believing him to be a safe and responsible figure.
The lawsuit contends that Wyckoff was responsible for ensuring the safety of the victim and that the township failed to protect him from potential sexual abuse. The suit accuses the township and recreation department of “willful, wanton and/or grossly negligent” behavior, which it claims resulted in the abuse. Additionally, it alleges that Wyckoff and the recreation department were negligent in their hiring, retention, and supervision practices.
Wyckoff Township Administrator Matt Cavallo declined to comment directly on the lawsuit, stating, “We remain committed to addressing all legal matters through the appropriate legal channels.”
Leonard Loran, who resigned as the township’s recreation director in 1987, has a troubling history. According to archived articles, Loran was arrested in the 1990s in connection with a sexual assault involving a young neighbor. He pleaded guilty in 1997 to fourth-degree criminal sexual contact and was sentenced to four years of probation, during which he was required to comply with Megan’s Law, mandating sex offender registration and community notification.
The lawsuit claims that the victim has suffered from lasting physical and psychological issues as a result of the abuse, requiring ongoing treatment. It further accuses the township and its recreation department of violating the New Jersey Child Sex Abuse Act and inflicting both intentional and negligent emotional distress.
The victim is seeking monetary damages and has requested a jury trial to address the allegations.
Follow the Ridgewood blog has a brand-new new X account, we tweet good sh$t
https://twitter.com/TRBNJNews
#follow #media #trending #viral #newsupdate #currentaffairs #BergenCountyNews #NJBreakingNews #NJHeadlines #NJTopStories,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews,