Lawsuit Against Church Alleges Molestation

A Brea couple sued the Eastside Christian Church in Fullerton this week, alleging that a part-time worker there molested their son.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Superior Court alleged that the 32-year-old employee fondled and committed sexual acts on the boy, a minor whose age was not specified. The parents are seeking unnamed general damages and medical expenses for their son and themselves.

Neither the parents nor their lawyer could be reached Friday.

The lawsuit alleged that the man molested the boy various times from last year to this year.

Murray Hollis, the church associate pastor, said Friday that the employee admitted to the parents and church officials he molested the boy during a rock-climbing expedition not sponsored by Eastside Christian.

“From what I understand, it was a one-time incident, not done on church grounds or activities,” Hollis said, adding that the church dismissed the man immediately following the allegation made by the parents. The church also provided both the man and the victim’s family with counseling.

Hollis said he does not know when the alleged molestation occurred.

Until his dismissal, the employee worked part time for several years as a printer in the church’s printing shop, Hollis said. He frequently taught Bible class on a voluntary basis, Hollis said.

“There were no other instances of having approached any other young people around here,” Hollis said.