Longtime leader of the Oregon Christian Coalition admits "touching" minors [View All]

[Caoimhe]

Christian leader did touch girls, police say

Lou Beres, longtime leader of the Oregon Christian Coalition, told police that he had sexually touched three underage girls years ago, according to a newly released report from the Gresham Police Department.

In March, Beres, 70, was sued in Multnomah County Circuit Court for $2.1 million by a relative who said he molested her repeatedly between 1963 and 1966.

Beres denied allegations of sexual molestation when they first came to light in The Oregonian last October. Gresham police last fall investigated allegations Beres had molested underage family members, but Multnomah County District Attorney Michael Shrunk said the allegations occurred so long ago that Beres couldn't face charges under the statute of limitations.

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Beres told police that he had received counseling through his church and admitted his mistakes years ago, according to the report. However, other relatives expressed concern to police that the abuse continued for several years through more than one generation of the family, according to the report. Kaempf said that in addition to disputing the statements in the police report, Beres also denied the allegations in the lawsuit. A hearing is scheduled next month on a motion by Kaempf to dismiss the lawsuit.

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At one time, Beres had been active in state Republican circles and was on the central committee. However, he backed losing candidates for chairman at least three times, and Nashif said Beres got almost no support when he tried to win a seat on the Republican National Committee.

Sick, Sick, Sick

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