Convicted Sex Molester Debate Coach Faces Civil Charges

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From http://www.hutchnews.com/Localregional/young2009-12-06T20-56-25

Former teacher denies civil lawsuit allegations

Ex-Buhler instructor convicted of molesting teen requesting jury trial.

By Darcy Gray - The Hutchinson News - dgray@hutchnews.com

A former Buhler High School teacher convicted last year of molesting a South Korean foreign exchange student has responded to a civil lawsuit filed against him by the boy's father.

Richard Young, 70, denies all of the allegations outlined in the lawsuit and has requested a jury trial, according to Wichita attorney Timothy Finnerty, who is representing Young in the civil matter.

Last October, Reno County jurors found the former longtime teacher and debate coach guilty of a single count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, two counts of indecent liberties with a child and one count of indecent solicitation of a child.

Young was sentenced to 13 1/2 years in prison for molesting the exchange student, then 15, whom he housed in August 2007.

He remains incarcerated at the Norton Correctional Facility and is maintaining his innocence as he appeals the convictions.

In July, the teen's father filed the civil lawsuit on his son's behalf in Reno County District Court, naming Young and Face the World Foundation, the Novato, Calif., agency that had placed the boy in Young's home.

The lawsuit, through Leawood attorney Stephen M. Gorny, alleges negligence by both Young and Face the World, and cites assault, battery and outrageous conduct by Young while he hosted the teenage boy in 2007.

The boy, who recently turned 18, "continues to suffer and incur emotional and physical trauma, medical expense, counseling expense, interruption in his education and a corresponding loss of income," according to the lawsuit.

An unspecified amount of damages is being sought, and the lawsuit requests the court determine damages that are "fair and reasonable under the circumstances and for his costs incurred."

In his response, Young denies the allegations in the suit, including:

* Young asked for a naked photograph of the student prior to his August 2007 arrival to Young's home.

* Young molested the boy on or about Aug. 3 and 4, 2007, and told the boy "not to disclose the incident as it could jeopardize" his ability to stay in the United States.

* Young molested the boy several days later, and then allegedly threatened the teen with a return to South Korea if he disclosed what happened.

Face the World has also filed a response to the civil lawsuit, denying any negligence or wrongdoing.

The lawsuit alleges the exchange agency failed to reasonably respond to the boy's report of sexual abuse, failed to "regularly and adequately" assess the boy's status in Young's home, and failed to provide means for the boy to obtain assistance in event of problems in the home.

Face the World, in its response, stated if the boy sustained any injuries or damages, then the damages were caused by someone whom the agency had no control over, so the agency should not be held responsible

The response also indicated the boy's father signed a release of any claims, or lawsuits, against the agency with the exception of gross negligence, which has not been alleged.

A hearing addressing the civil lawsuit has not yet been scheduled.