.1912121054550.jpg)
Youth pastor of giant San Jose church sued for abuse
His preacher roommate was also a child molester
Both men were convicted of child sex crimes
It’s one of the very first such suits under a new law which takes
Non-denominational church, not Catholic, is targeted
A convicted child molesting youth and music pastor at San Jose’s largest church, who roomed with another child molesting pastor, is being sued for what may be the first time even though his crimes happened nearly 25 years ago. Both are registered sex offenders on California’s Megan’s Law website.
The lawsuit is made possible by an unusual new California law that may prompt hundreds or thousands of similar cases. The measure takes effect on January 1, 2020. It’s one of just a handful of such lawsuits against a non-Catholic church.
Youth and music pastor Pablo Gerald Boas pled guilty in 1995 to eight counts of child sexual abuse. He met the children while he worked at the 6,000-member Jubilee Christian Church (175 Nortech Parkway, 408-262-0900).
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Ex-Pastor-of-San-Jose-s-Largest-Church-Is-3044901.php
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-12-20-mn-4644-story.html
The sexual abuse of Doe occurred on Defendant Jubilee Christian Church’s premises when Boas was providing private saxophone lessons to Doe.
“This takes incredible courage – to warn parents and the public about a predatory preacher who is still relatively young and charismatic,” said Dr. Joseph C. George, who represents Doe. “Doe has suffered incredibly yet found the strength to speak up so other youngsters might be spared the horror he has endured.”
Doe’s lawsuit is made possible by Assembly Bill 218, which was signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom in October. It passed overwhelmingly in the state legislature and gives anyone who was molested as a child – no matter when the crimes took place – three years to seek justice through civil lawsuits.
Called a “window,” the measure is similar to a bill lawmakers enacted back in 2003. It covers abuse by any individual and cover ups by any institution, not just the Catholic church.
“These ‘windows’ help protect kids, expose predators, deter cover ups and heal victims,” said Dr. George. “And we predict that hundreds of deeply wounded California adults will step forward, get some closure and make the state safer for all girls and boys.
Boas’ criminal plea was made just days before his trial was to begin. He faced a maximum of three years in prison, under a plea agreement negotiated by his lawyer and the district attorney's office. “If he had gone to trial and been convicted, Boas would have faced up to 15 years if found guilty,” said then-Santa Clara County prosecutor Ray Mendoza, according to news accounts.
Boas resigned from Jubilee in 1992 after authorities charged him with molesting four boys from the church, aged 10 to 15. Boas had first worked as a janitor at the church where his longtime friend, Rev. David Earnest Brimmer was the lead associate pastor under head pastor Dick Bernal.
Brimmer, who had “a national reputation in the charismatic movement as a brilliant administrator and organizer,” was accused of molesting several boys, then ages 11 to 16, from 1989 to 1993.
After two days of jury deliberations in Santa Clara County, Rev. Brimmer was found guilty. He faced a maximum of 20 years and eight months in prison. He showed no remorse and was sentenced to 19 years.
Until their resignations, Brimmer and Boas were respected leaders in their 6,500-member church. Both lived in Milpitas.
Jubilee, which is now informally known as Redemption Church and claims 14,000 members and five branches and is now led by Rev. Ron Carpenter. It still calls itself the largest non-denominational church in San Jose.
The church hosts an annual conference at which prominent pastors appear including Michael Pitts, T. D. Jakes, and Paula White who was hired by President Donald Trump and now works in the White House job.
Dr. Joseph C. George is both a licensed psychology and attorney and has represented hundreds of survivors of childhood sexual assault. Dr. George is available for comment via phone and/or Skype.
CONTACT
Dr. Joseph C. George (916) 802-7949 cell, (916) 641-7300 office, (800) 700 8615, jcg@psyclaw.com,
Maricar A. Pascual (707) 342-4722 cell, (916) 641-7300 office, maricar@psyclaw.com