FARMINGTON – The state is suing a convicted sex offender for $1 million on behalf of two children who are now in therapeutic care foster homes. The money, if any, that the court awards to the boys would go into a trust fund available to them when they reach 18.
Attorney David Sanders of Livermore Falls filed the four-count civil suit against James Richman, formerly of Wilton now in a Maine prison, on behalf of the Department of Human Services in its capacity as guardian for two boys aged 12 and 14 who formerly lived in Wilton. The boys are undergoing therapy for sexual abuse, according to court documents.
Richman has denied all the lawsuit’s allegations in writing and through his attorney Andrews Campbell of Waldoboro and has filed a counterclaim.
Richman was convicted by a jury in April 2003 of one count of unlawful sexual contact and was acquitted of five other similar charges in relation to the youngest boy who was 9 or 10 when the sexual contact happened. Richman had lived next to the Academy Hill School in Wilton.
He is serving two years of a four-year sentence followed by six years of probation.
Richman’s appeal of his conviction was denied April 8 by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.
In addition, Richman was indicted in November 2003 on two counts each of gross sexual and unlawful sexual contact in connection with the oldest boy.
That case is set for the May trial list, state prosecutor James Andrews said.
Sanders had asked the court to attach $1 million of Richman’s property, but the court only attached $250,000 of it.
Richman’s counterclaim alleges the Department of Human Services through a social worker and a Franklin County detective, acting individually and within the scope of their employment, “have inflicted negligently and intentionally both severe and emotional distress” on Richman.
Campbell claims that Richman has also suffered a loss of income and future loss of income, the need for counseling and legal expense and is asking for damages and for compensation.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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