LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former Riverside megachurch pastor is facing accusations of sexual abuse and child trafficking at a shelter he managed in Romania. Lawsuits have been filed in U.S. District Court in California by two Romanian men, Marian Barbu and Mihai-Constantin Petcu, accusing Paul Havsgaard of severe abuse over a period of eight years.
In their complaints, the plaintiffs state that Havsgaard lured vulnerable children from the streets with food and the promise of education. They express feelings of anger and trauma stemming from their experiences, with one of their attorneys noting the long-lasting psychological effects of the abuse.
Harvest Christian Fellowship, the church established by noted evangelist Greg Laurie, has been named in the lawsuit. The allegations include negligence on the part of the church's leadership for failing to take action despite multiple reports of abuse and inappropriate conditions at the shelter.
Havsgaard's management of the shelter allegedly involved serious misconduct, including exploiting older boys for sex work and engaging in sexual acts in front of the children. The lawsuit describes the atmosphere as akin to a 'torture chamber' and suggests that Havsgaard used religious justification for his actions.
Following widespread shock at the revelations, Harvest Christian Fellowship has publicly denied the charges against the church, stating that the blame should be directed solely at Havsgaard.
As part of the lawsuits, further claims of abuse from additional victims are expected to be filed soon, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability in the wake of these allegations.
