Franklin child prostitution ring allegations

The Franklin child prostitution ring allegations were a series of high-profile accusations and legal actions between 1988 and 1991 surrounding an alleged child sex ring serving prominent citizens of Omaha, Nebraska, as well as high-level U.S. politicians.[1]

The allegations centered on the actions of Lawrence E. King, director of the Franklin Community Federal Credit Union (FCFCU) in Omaha and a nationally-prominent political figure who was active in the Republican Party.[2] After investigation, authorities determined the abuse allegations were baseless.[3]

Overview

Allegations of sexual abuse first emerged in November 1988 during a National Credit Union Administration investigation of unrelated financial irregularities at the FCFCU, at which King had worked for 18 years.[2] Authorities launched a probe, interviewing a number of claimed abuse victims who said that children in foster care were flown to the U.S. East Coast and were abused at "bad parties."[4] Subsequently, John DeCamp, a former Nebraska state Senator, publicly identified five prominent individuals as being involved in a prostitution ring that transported minors across state lines.

However, the first of two grand juries determined that the abuse allegations were a "carefully crafted hoax" and specifically exonerated the five persons named by De Camp. The grand jury also suggested that the abuse stories originated from a vindictive employee terminated by Boys Town, the famed refuge for troubled youths.[3]

Moreover, two of the purported victims were indicted for perjury;[3] one was convicted and sentenced to 9–15 years in prison.[5] (Crusading journalist Nick Bryant described the trial of the convicted perjurer as a "travesty.")[6]

King was eventually convicted of embezzling over $38 million from FCFCU, and served 10 years of a 15-year prison sentence.

Paul A. Bonacci, who claimed that King abused him for an extended period, filed a lawsuit against King in civil court. When King failed to respond to the charges, United States federal judge Warren Keith Urbom entered a default judgement for $1 million against King.[7]

Numerous conspiracy theories persisted afterwards, claiming that the Franklin scandal was part of much more widespread series of crimes.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Jenkins, Philip (2004). Moral Panic: Changing Concepts of the Child Molester in Modern America. Yale University Press. pp. 174–5. ISBN 978-0-300-10963-4. 
  2. ^ a b Robbins, William (1988). "A Lurid, Mysterious Scandal Begins Taking Shape in Omaha." The New York Times, 18 December 1988, URL accessed 18 May 2012.
  3. ^ a b c Robbins, Williams (July 29, 1990). "Omaha Grand Jury Sees Hoax in Lurid Tales". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE2D91630F93AA15754C0A966958260. Retrieved May 13, 2011. ;"Omaha Tales of Sexual Abuse Ruled False". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 27, 1990. http://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/27/us/omaha-tales-of-sexual-abuse-ruled-false.html?. Retrieved May 13, 2011. 
  4. ^ Robbins, William (1988). "Nebraska Inquiry Is Given File on Sex Abuse of Foster Children." The New York Times, 25 December 1988, URL accessed 18 May 2012.
  5. ^ USA Today: p. 6A. August 9, 1991. "Alisha Owen, convicted of lying to grand jury probing charges of sex and drug abuse in failure of Omaha credit union, was sentenced to 9 to 15 years in prison." 
  6. ^ "Sexual Abuse’s Second Shame". USA Today magazine: 46-47. January 2012. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WbQSxoBkDuGXvvsiA5FBn4q5LdYVRMiEwxLTnjW0buY/edit?pli=1. 
  7. ^ Santiago, Frank (1999). "Judge makes $1 million award," The Des Moines Register 24 February 1999
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