SANTA ANA : Man Denies Guilt in Molestation Case

Bruce John Ward, a former volunteer at the Crystal Cathedral, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Orange County Superior Court to charges that he molested a boy he met at the Garden Grove church.

The 28-year-old Orange man is charged with 79 felony counts, including lewd conduct with a minor. The district attorney’s office alleges that the acts occurred over three years, beginning when the youth was 14.

Ward, who is free on $25,000 bond, has no previous criminal record, according to his lawyer.

Judge Michael Brenner scheduled a Sept. 10 trial-setting conference in the case. On Sept. 9, another Superior Court judge will decide whether to allow a civil suit to proceed, in which Ward charges the youth, now 19, with libel and slander for making the molestation charges.

The youth gave police a detailed account of sexual activities he said took place between the two, after first meeting at a Crystal Cathedral Christmas pageant rehearsal in 1988.

Ward, through his attorney, denied any sexual relations between the two.

A spokesman for Crystal Cathedral confirmed that Ward had worked in one of the church’s warehouses from 1986 to 1988 and was involved in church youth activities, including musical productions. But church officials could not verify that he had been a volunteer youth guidance counselor, as the youth told Orange police.

While volunteering at the Crystal Cathedral, Ward also did warehouse work at Tustin-based Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Later, Ward and his parents, also Trinity employees, sued the Christian network for firing them. They alleged the firing was the result of allegations by Ward’s mother that Trinity was trying to avoid paying federal and state payroll and Social Security taxes. Superior Court Judge Robert J. Polis dismissed the suit, ruling it had no merit.