Allegation Against Gay Youth Agency

Although your article (March 20) about the first and only administrative accusation filed against Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services Inc. was relatively even-handed, because I have been a member of the board of directors of GLASS and because my law firm has served as general counsel to GLASS since its inception, I think certain salient points need to be brought out.

This accusation is based almost entirely on rumor and gossip. Six persons are named as “victims” of abuse in the accusation, but five of those persons firmly deny that it ever happened. The sixth person, who claims something did happen, made this statement after he was arrested on an unrelated matter.

Teresa DeCrescenzo, GLASS’ chief executive, has received the acclaim of her peers across the country for her social work, and GLASS has long been recognized by the courts and other agencies as the place of last resort for more than 1,000 abused and homeless young people.

Contrary to the Department of Social Services’ accusation, over the years GLASS has scrupulously reported every incident of suspected abuse, and only one of those incidents was found to be true.

Glass has conducted its own investigation of these charges, and we have found them to be totally false.

THOMAS HUNTER RUSSELL