Former Mass. AG to Lead St. George's Sex Abuse Investigation

MIDDLETOWN, RI—A former Massachusetts attorney general considered to be an expert in independent investigations has been tapped to lead the investigation into sexual abuse claims at St. George’s School in Middletown.

Scott Harshbarger, a lawyer with the Boston law firm Casner & Edwards, has been jointly retained by the school and SGS for Healing, a group representing the numerous victims of sexual abuse at the school dating back to the 1970s.

Anne Scott of SGS for Healing announced the hiring of Harshbarger on Monday and said that the agreement represents improving cooperation between victims and the school in recent weeks.

According to a news release, the parties have also agreed to a comprehensive and independent program for mental health assistance in cooperation with Day One of Rhode Island, a non-profit provider of clinical, treatment, intervention, education, advocacy, and prevention services for victims of trauma.

“If an alumnus or alumna who was the victim of sexual abuse by faculty, staff, or students at St. George’s School needs crisis mental health assistance or a referral to a local mental health professional (to be paid for by the School), he or she may receive immediate help by contacting Day One. Any victim of sexual abuse by faculty, staff, or students at the School (whether or not affiliated with SGS for Healing) may avail him/herself of these services. The processing of payments to providers will be handled by an independent third-party administrator and the names of alumni receiving mental health assistance will not be revealed to the School or SGS for Healing,” the release stated.

“These preliminary agreements represent further progress for alumni victims. While there is much more to be accomplished, we hope to work productively with the Board and new counsel for the School,” Scott said.

Said Leslie Heaney, Chair of the School’s Board of Trustees: “The St. George’s School is committed to the truth and supporting alumni survivors who have been harmed by sexual abuse. Today’s announcement represents important steps toward healing for the survivors and the St. George’s community.”

Harshbarger was AG until 1999 when he joined Common Cause to serve as chief executive. Over time, he has become a relied-upon expert to lead independent investigations, including prison reform and corruption.

Since Scott went public and told her story to The Boston Globe, which broke the story, more than 40 people have come forward with similar stories of being raped and molested, some at the hand of now deceased former athletic director Al Gibbs, others from a former musical director, a former chaplain and fellow students.