Former Episcopal Priest Accused of Sex Assault

A man who claims he was sexually abused by an Episcopal Priest is suing the South Windsor Church where he says the abuse happened nearly 40 years ago.

Robert Gough was a middle school student, when he says Rev. Bruce Jaques lured him into his office and sexually assaulted him. The alleged abuse happened in the late 1970s, according to Gough's attorneys.

The lawsuit claims Jaques told Gough he was conducting research about children and how they change physically. Gough says Jaques touched him, and performed oral sex on him. He claims Jaques tried to lure him into his officer on two other occasions, but Gough turned Jaques away.

A spokesperson for the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut said Jaques was removed from the priesthood in the mid 1990s when separate allegations were brought against him. "Abuse of any type by anyone in a position of power or authority is abhorrent, and not to be tolerated," Director of Communication and Media for the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut Karin Hamilton said.

The Bishop's office was made aware of Gough's allegations in the spring of 2009, and the bishop notified the Department of Children and Families, according to Hamilton.

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