Lawsuit says center ignored concerns about employee’s behavior around young women

DALLAS – A lawsuit filed against the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center of Dallas charges that the facility failed to protect a 14-year-old girl from sexual abuse by one of its employees.

According to the lawsuit, Allen resident Randy Lee Adrian was 24 and employed at the organization’s fitness center when he began making inappropriate sexual advances towards the victim. Using a combination of threats and intimidation, Mr. Adrian groomed and ultimately sexually assaulted the victim over an 18-month period beginning in 2014.

He was later convicted of three charges of indecency with a child and sentenced to two years in prison and must now register as a sex offender for at least the next 10 years.

“What happened to our client is appalling and could have been prevented had the Jewish Community Center not turned a blind eye,” said an attorney for the victim, Charla Aldous of Aldous\Walker LLP in Dallas. “Unfortunately, this is yet another case where a respected organization ignored clear warning signs of a problem and failed to protect children in its care and acknowledge its wrongdoings, ultimately creating an environment that allows predators to thrive.”

Mr. Adrian’s position at the Jewish Community Center gave him access to the gym where underage girls exercised. On multiple occasions, members complained to management about his inappropriate behavior with children, and staff members repeatedly raised similar concerns. The lawsuit alleges that despite those repeated reports, there is no record of the center reprimanding or taking any other employment action against Mr. Adrian.

When the victim’s mother inquired about Mr. Adrian’s behavior, the center’s CEO replied, “It takes two to tango.” In 2017, she filed a lawsuit against the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, but later withdrew it pending the outcome of the criminal case against Adrian.

Charla G. Aldous, Brent R. Walker and Tiffany Standly of Aldous\Walker LLP represent the young girl along with co-counsel Bruce Steckler, Dean Gresham and Kirstine Rogers of Steckler Gresham Cochran PLLC.

The case is Jane Doe v. Jewish Community Center of Dallas, No. CC-19-02563-D in the County Court at Law No. 3 in Dallas County.

The Aldous\Walker LLP law firm represents clients in civil litigation, personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability and wrongful death cases. Learn more about the firm at http://www.aldouslaw.com.

Contact:
Mark Annick
mark@androvett.com
800-559-4534