Lawsuits Filed Against Harvest Christian Fellowship Over Alleged Abuse in Romania
A legal battle is unfolding as 22 former residents of Harvest Christian Fellowship’s defunct children’s homes in Romania bring forward lawsuits alleging serious abuse. The accused, former pastor Paul Havsgaard, denies these allegations, labeling them as “ugly lies” and insisting that the claims are financially motivated.
In a letter to U.S. District Court Judge Sunshine S. Sykes, Havsgaard expressed his anger, stating, “I am angry because the lawsuit states these accusations as if they are facts.” He further argued that the accusations are manufactured for financial gain, suggesting that the children were free to leave the homes at any time.
The lawsuits not only accuse Havsgaard of abuse but also implicate the church’s founder, Greg Laurie, and missions pastor, Richard Schutte, in negligence for failing to act on warnings about the abuse. The plaintiffs, consisting of seven women and 16 men, allege a history of sexual abuse and trafficking dating back over two decades.
Consolidated Legal Proceedings
Attorney Jan Cervenka, representing the plaintiffs, filed the lawsuits individually. However, the court has since consolidated the cases into a single legal action, with Marian Barbu acting as the lead plaintiff. The alleged victims, who currently reside in Europe, claim they were subjected to abuse while residing in the homes managed by Harvest Christian Fellowship.
Laurie and the church are contesting the allegations, initiating legal proceedings in Romania to determine if the claims are limited by Romanian statutes. The church’s lawyers argue that the Romanian court should have primary jurisdiction over the case, citing doctrines such as international comity and judicial economy.
Details of the Allegations
According to the lawsuits, the church continued to finance Havsgaard’s operations in Romania despite multiple warnings about his actions. Allegedly, Havsgaard used these funds for personal gain and to silence employees. A monthly payment of $17,000 was reportedly deposited into his account without requiring accountability.
During trips to California, it is alleged that Havsgaard sexually assaulted boys he brought from Romania. Emilia-Mariana Tudosie, one of the plaintiffs, recounts traveling with Havsgaard and witnessing the abuse. She claims that Havsgaard raped two boys during this trip.
The lawsuits also accuse Cătălin Manescu, Havsgaard’s driver turned finance director, of abusing minor girls, exploiting the situation fostered by Havsgaard’s actions.
Institutional Response and Ongoing Investigations
In the wake of these allegations, Harvest Christian Fellowship has taken the matter to law enforcement and plans to cooperate fully with the investigation. The church has previously denied any knowledge of the alleged abuse and views the lawsuits as “financial extortion.”
Havsgaard maintains his innocence, asserting the accusations are baseless and financially motivated. He claims that the lawsuits have tarnished his reputation and impacted his ability to continue his religious work.
The legal proceedings continue as both sides prepare for further court battles, with the Romanian court’s decision on the statute of limitations potentially influencing the outcome of these lawsuits.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
