Pella —
Public court documents indicate that Valerie Bandstra, Anne Bandstra, Ryan Bandstra and Jason Bandstra are named plaintiffs who filed suit against convicted sex offender and former Pella pastor Patrick Edouard, as well as the Covenant Reformed Church, United Reformed Churches in North America, Clarence Hettinga, Arnold Van Donselaar, Norman Van Mersbergen, William Hartman and the board of elders of Covenant Reformed Church.
Edouard was convicted of four counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist and one count of entering into a pattern/scheme of exploitation by a therapist. He was sentenced to one year in prison on each of the exploitation counts and five years on the ongoing charge. The individual sentences per exploitation count will be served consecutively, and the sentence on the pattern charge will run concurrently with those.
He is currently appealing this sentence. Briefs have not been filed in the appeal. When those are filed, the case will go to the Iowa Supreme Court. The Iowa Supreme Court will choose whether or not it will hear the appeal, or if it will send it to the Appellate Court.
As for the civil case, there are several counts alleged by the plaintiffs against every defendant. Defendants Hettinga, Van Donselaar, Van Mersbergen and Hartman were members of the Covenant Reformed Church Board. Court documents, imbedded below allege that these board members made statements defamatory against the plaintiffs.
Edouard has denied all of the allegations presented in the civil claim. He has also filed a counterclaim against the plaintiffs.
A jury trial has been demanded. No further court date has been set.
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
