Subscribe
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Menu
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events

‘Town Crier’ – Briefs From the Region (1) – 9/17/19

in Regional
Big Sky Chamber of Commerce, Visit Big Sky seek board members
Outlaw Partnersby Outlaw Partners
September 17, 2019

Jehovah’s Witnesses seek reversal of $35M abuse verdict

In the mid-2000s, an unnamed 21-year-old victim was subject to sexual abuse from a member the Thompson Falls Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation, and was awarded $35 million in damages by a jury last September after it was determined the congregation’s elders handled the matter internally, shielding the accused from Montana law enforcement.

According to state law, clergy are exempt from reporting if church doctrine or practice requires confidentiality, The Missoulian reported on Sept. 13.

On Sept. 13, the Jehovah’s Witnesses appealed for a reversal of the jury’s decision, despite the victim’s attorney, Jim Molloy, noting such exemptions don’t apply considering congregation officials testified that elders can choose to report child abusers under set church practice.

Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad

Congregation elders expelled the abuser in 2004, allowing his return in 2005, which cleared runway for continued abuse of the victim.

Outlaw Realty Outlaw Realty
Outlaw Realty
ADVERTISEMENT

Listen

Hoary Marmot Podcast

Joe Borden & Michele Veale Borden

Lastest Episode
See More Episodes

Upcoming Events

Jun 20
9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Community Yoga

Jun 20
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

June Show at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

Jun 20
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Trivia at the Waypoint

Jun 21
9:00 am - 10:00 am Event Series

Planting the Past: Crafting Historic Seed Boxes

Jun 21
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

June Show at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

View Calendar
Event Calendar

Related Posts

Eddy Line: Join and learn with the Fly Fishers International Virtual Conclave
Environment

Yellowstone imposes afternoon fishing closures to protect trout

June 19, 2025
Report: Most Montanans agree tourism benefits outweigh negative impacts
Regional

Parts of Montana to see June snow this weekend

June 19, 2025
Trump administration terminates Columbia Basin salmon recovery agreement 
Environment

Trump administration terminates Columbia Basin salmon recovery agreement 

June 18, 2025
Gallatin County Commission adopts safe roads action plan 
News

Gallatin County Commission adopts safe roads action plan 

June 17, 2025

An Outlaw Partners Publication

Facebook-f Instagram X-twitter Youtube

Explore Big Sky

  • About/Contact
  • Advertise
  • Publications
  • Subscriptions
  • Podcast
  • Submissions

Outlaw Brands

  • Mountain Outlaw
  • Plan Yellowstone
  • Big Sky PBR
  • Wildlands Music
  • Outlaw Partners
  • Outlaw Realty
  • Hey Bear

Copyright © 2025 Explore Big Sky | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Your Privacy Choices

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Yellowstone
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Real Estate
  • Events

©2024 Outlaw Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Explore Big Sky Logo
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Subscribe
Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube