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Update: Claims Surface Against Local Boys & Girls Club
May 20, 2025 – A man has come forward with troubling allegations involving the Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark & Simi Valley, claiming he was sexually assaulted by a staff member during his childhood.
The individual, identified in legal filings as John Doe to protect his privacy, says the incidents occurred between 1996 and 1998 when he was a minor. At the time, he was involved in the club’s youth program, which was meant to provide a safe, supervised environment for local kids.
According to the complaint, a club employee took advantage of that position, grooming and isolating the young boy during activities. The alleged abuse is said to have occurred repeatedly without intervention by other staff members.
Lawyers for the plaintiff argue that the organization failed to properly supervise its staff or take the steps necessary to safeguard vulnerable participants. The lawsuit alleges that the lack of proper oversight created an environment where the abuse could occur unchecked.
The lawsuit, filed in Ventura County Superior Court, seeks to hold the Boys & Girls Club accountable for its alleged failure to protect children in its care.
The case is: John Doe v. Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark & Simi Valley, Case No. 2025CUPP043800.
What’s the Problem?
James Collins, the alleged abuser in the suit, worked at the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester, in Westchester County, New York, in numerous positions including mentor and supervisor, which provided him access to young children, according to the CT Post.
The 4 plaintiffs, who ranged in age from 10 years old to teenagers when the alleged abuse occurred, claim that Collins engaged in repeated sexual abuse and exploitation of minors, yet the Boys & Girls Club failed to respond to repeated complaints against him and allowed a predator to victimize children for years.
The suit describes Collins’ “grooming behaviors,” including giving gifts, treats, candy, and even alcohol. The defendant targeted children from single-parent homes and other vulnerable situations, according to the complaint.
“These warning signs, grooming behaviors, inappropriate time spent alone with Plaintiffs and not respecting boundaries with children were ignored by (the Boys & Girls Club), thus, creating the opportunity for abuse, resulting in failures to enforce proper boundaries and, instead, allowing Collins access to abuse children,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit further alleges that the defendants — the Boys & Girls Club, several schools, a camp, and the town of Mount Kisco, New York — were negligent for failing to protect children from sexual abuse by Collins. Plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages, along with attorney fees.
Despite the charges pending against him, Collins is somehow still employed as a bus driver and janitor at a school in Hawthorn, New York, allowing him continued access to children, according to the Greenwich Time.
The complaint was filed under New York’s Child Victims Act [1]. The law gives survivors of child sexual assault more time to file legal action against their abusers and the institutions that may have failed to protect them and others. Child victims can file civil lawsuits in cases where the statute of limitations (SOL) would have otherwise expired.
What Other Instances of Boys & Girls Club Sexual Abuse Have Been Uncovered?
In addition to the above case, instances of specific claims and abuse throughout the Boys & Girls Club have been reported by the news media across the U.S. Some cases involve allegations against a single staff member, while others involve multiple abusers, as well as clubs downplaying or outright hiding cases of sexual assault or abuse.
Newspapers around the country have reported on hundreds of allegations against the Boys and Girls Club of America, and several organizations have investigated the scope of the problem.
Hearst Connecticut Media, for example, conducted the largest of said investigations and published its findings in a series of articles in late 2019. The investigation uncovered hundreds of cases of alleged sexual abuse in Boys and Girls clubs in 35 states.
Specifically, by August 2019 reporters had discovered 250 alleged victims claiming to have been sexually abused by Boys and Girls Club of America employees, volunteers, and other members when they were children — some as young as 6 years old, according to the Connecticut Post. By September 2020, those numbers had grown to 351 victims in 35 states.
Court records showed some of the children were abused for years, while others were abused in single incidents such as sleepovers or trips. Club directors, coaches, and volunteers were identified as abusers, in addition to certain minors.
In criminal and civil court documents that go back as far as the 1970s, the investigation revealed civil lawsuits filed by former Boys and Girls Club members who claimed that club officials knew about the abuse but failed to report it to authorities. Other victims accused individual clubs of not following safety guidelines or performing background checks on the adults they allowed to work with kids.
Settlement Reached in Boys & Girls Club Lawsuit Over Sexual Abuse Claims
In a significant development in the ongoing Boys & Girls Club lawsuit, a multi-million dollar settlement has been reached regarding historical allegations of sexual abuse involving the former Celtic Boys Club, according to Thompsons Solicitors [2.].
The law firm, representing approximately 30 former players from the Celtic Boys Club, confirmed that around 70% of the cases have now been resolved, with additional settlements anticipated soon. The legal action stems from abuse committed by convicted offenders James Torbett and Frank Cairney during their time at the youth organization, which operated independently from Celtic FC.
Legal Background and Court Rulings
The case was previously authorized to proceed as a group action by Scotland’s highest civil court, the Court of Session in Edinburgh. Group proceedings, similar to class actions in the United States, were introduced into Scottish law in 2020 to facilitate collective claims.
Lawyers representing Celtic Plc had attempted to block the lawsuit, arguing that the Celtic Boys Club was a separate entity and that the claims should not proceed against the main football club. However, Lord Arthurson ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, allowing the Boys & Girls Club lawsuit to move forward.
Celtic FC, when contacted for comment, reiterated its previous statement expressing that the organization is “appalled by any form of historic abuse.”
Broader Implications for Boys & Girls Club Lawsuits
The settlement in this Boys & Girls Club lawsuit could set a precedent for future cases involving abuse at youth sports organizations and other community groups. With group actions becoming more accessible under Scottish law, survivors may now find it easier to seek justice collectively against institutions that failed to protect them.
Advocacy groups have pointed out that high-profile settlements like this not only offer compensation but also promote systemic changes within organizations to prevent abuse from occurring again.
“This outcome is about more than just money,” said a spokesperson for a child protection advocacy group. “It’s about holding institutions accountable and ensuring that today’s youth clubs and sports organizations are much safer spaces.”
The resolution of this Boys & Girls Club lawsuit marks a significant milestone in the broader movement for justice for survivors of institutional abuse. It highlights the importance of robust legal avenues for group claims and underscores the critical need for accountability and reform in youth organizations.
As more survivors come forward and legal frameworks evolve, institutions linked to past abuses may increasingly find themselves under legal and public scrutiny.
Also Read: Fullerton Pastor Charged With Abusing 7 Children
Contact us today to speak to experienced sexual abuse attorneys to learn more about your legal rights.
FAQs
What Legal Options Are Available to Victims of Abuse at Boys & Girls Club Facilities?
Victims may pursue civil lawsuits seeking compensatory and punitive damages against the Boys & Girls Club and other defendants, depending on their failure to prevent the abuse.
What Is the Significance of the New York Child Victims Act in These Cases?
The New York Child Victims Act allows survivors of child sexual assault to file lawsuits even if the statute of limitations has expired, providing a window for previously time-barred actions to be pursued.
What Should Potential Plaintiffs Consider Before Filing a Lawsuit?
Potential plaintiffs should consider the emotional and legal implications of their case, the availability of evidence, and the impact on personal healing and recovery. Consulting with a lawyer experienced in handling sexual abuse cases can provide necessary guidance and support.
Do I Have a Boys & Girls Club Lawsuit?
The Sexual Abuse Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Boys & Girls Club Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and are currently accepting new injury cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one was the victim of sexual abuse, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.