The Maine State Police should take another look at its report on the nine-month investigation into the late Bob Carlson to see if there is more information that could be released without compromising Carlson’s victims.
They should do so because of Carlson’s influence in this community and because of allegations that other trusted community members, including police officers, failed to act on their suspicions about him thereby allowing the sexual abuse of children by Carlson to go unchecked for decades.
They should do so because the community deserves to know as much as possible without putting the victims’ identities at risk or exposing specific and hurtful details of the abuse.
They should do so because one can hope that there are lessons for us all to learn in the pages of that report that were not released to the public.
The agency should not do it because a fellow who was a police officer in Westbrook for a few years in the 1970s and who now lives in Arizona has accused them of a engaging in a coverup.
Brian Gagan of Scottsdale, Ariz., was among those who conducted a psychological autopsy of the 2011 triple homicide of Amy, Cody and Monica Lake, who were killed by their husband and father, Steven Lake, in Dexter.
Gagan, who grew up in Westbrook, conducted the psychological autopsy along with three other former police officers, including Dr. Michael Sefton. They did it free of charge and presented a series of recommendations to the state.
When the group proposed performing the autopsy, Deputy Attorney General William Stokes said he welcomed the help.
Most recently Gagan was asked for his opinion on the MSP report into Carlson and said “too much is inarguably being covered up”
“When the state police don’t disclose stuff it means there is stuff they don’t want disclosed … it’s a coverup.”
I thought those were strong words. A pretty serious allegation to make on the front page of the newspaper and I wondered whether Gagan and his group were becoming informal consultants of sorts on highly publicized criminal cases in Maine.
I called Gagan up on Thursday and we talked a bit about his background and his commitment to protecting children from being molested in Maine and keeping firearms from domestic abusers.
Very good goals to be sure.
Once a police officer, always a police officer, he said.
“It’s like riding a bike.”
He also suggested that no one “knows for sure that [Carlson] actually jumped off that bridge,” suggesting that perhaps he was pushed.
Gagan was a police officer in Westbrook and Scarborough during the 1970s, he said. Though full-time officers, even then, were required to attend and graduate from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy or an out-of-state police academy, Gagan said he didn’t graduate from any police academy.
It was possible during that time to be a part-time officer without graduating from the academy.
He has not worked in law enforcement since.
I then asked about Dr. Sefton, who was placed on leave from his job as a psychologist at Grafton High School in Massachusetts in May 2011 after it was discovered by a member of the media that his license to practice had been revoked in Massachusetts in 2008 for having sexual relations with a patient.
School administrators were unaware of the revocation when they hired Sefton. He resigned from his job at Grafton High School in June 2011 after it was made public that he did not have a license to practice.
Gagan informed me that the situation with Sefton was a “gray area” and that the woman was the aggressor.
Sefton’s license to practice psychology in Massachusetts remains revoked, according to the Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation Office in Massachusetts.
He now works as a police officer in Braintree, Mass.
Truthfully, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was planning to write about Gagan and Sefton’s role in Maine’s law enforcement arena.
I wasn’t sure what I thought about Gagan’s credibility and I was sifting it around and thinking of coming up with a different column idea.
And then I returned home and found he had left me a voicemail message.
He said they expected that people would try to discredit them and that they were prepared.
“We’ve held back enough direct evidence and witness testimony and everything else that if anyone wants to play any games or play discrediting then we will just go public with … a lot of things and at least five or six subjects that you and I haven’t discussed and we haven’t discussed with anybody up until now so hopefully that won’t be the case.”
I’m not sure, but I think there was a threat couched in there somewhere.
Holding back evidence to use later against someone questioning your credentials doesn’t seem very respectable or officerlike at all.
Things I was unsure of earlier in the day became clearer.
But Gagan and Sefton aside, and I would argue that is where they should be, the investigative report into Carlson should be revisited, perhaps by an independent party, to determine whether there is more to be released to the public.
The state police are right that there are laws to protect victims and witnesses, but it would appear that the state is taking the most conservative approach and perhaps unnecessarily so.
It leaves room for speculation and conspiracy theories and this case is horrifying enough on its own merit.
Renee Ordway can be reached at reneeordway@gmail.com.
C’mon Gagan, bring it on… What are you holding in your hand? (hmm, maybe i should rephrase that… haha).
Thanks Renee for not letting this rent-a-cop intimidate you.
If you believe that ALL police and the DA. are straight shooters you are not living in the real world . I have saw a lot in my lifetime. Now if Carlson was covered for are thier other bad people being covered for the answer is yes. Are thier more around Bangor that we do not know . It is not a perfect world . Lets find out who the people are that can not be trusted and send them packing . Most normal people would fall for Milgrams experiment . Well that is not the kind of person I want protecting my kids. I want police that will question authority.
Renee – I think that you need to win an award for the reporting that you are doing here. You are pushing the envelope when nobody else is willing to. Your willingness to stand up and be hard is impressive. I guess I’d like to hear an explanation from someone at the BDN about why this story isn’t prime-time, front-page.
Great job in looking into these out of state experts who chime in on all these Maine crimes. Looks like a former part time officer that never went through the police academy and has never worked in law enforcement since the 70’s and a psychologist that is suspended for having sex with a patient. (Guess that could make him a sex crime expert)
The former “ex” ( never trained) cop sounds more like a black mailer when he says:
“We’ve held back enough direct evidence and witness testimony and
everything else that if anyone wants to play any games or play
discrediting then we will just go public with … a lot of things and at
least five or six subjects that you and I haven’t discussed and we
haven’t discussed with anybody up until now so hopefully that won’t be
the case.”
They are holding back information, how did they get it? Why isn’t is shared? Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black, tell the police they should let the public know more information while they with hold this secret information no one knows. Are they obstructing the investigation of this case?
I watched CSI, NCIS, and Hawaii 5-O can I be an expert also? I was a member of the school safety patrol and carried my AAA badge, guess I’m an expert.
The MSP as well as DA Almy have no motivation to release more information (with the exception of victim’s identities)- it does not benefit either the MSP or Almy to do so. In fact it would make this messy situation even more messy and bothersome. If the public actually knew who suspected what or who actually knew about Carlson and did nothing there would be a public backlash (one would think.)
Let’s be frank-The MSP and DA Almy have nothing to gain for releasing more information or pressing for legal consequences for any of the pathetic bystanders who were all (more than likely) mandated reporters and chose to do absolutely NOTHING. The State police will cite some mundane statute and Almy will stick with there’s not enough mandated reported training and he can’t do anything legally.
If this was my child who was a victim and I found out that people actually ‘knew’ about Carlson and did nothing I would be hiring a really ugly attorney and if Almy won’t do his job as far as criminal charges…my ugly attorney and I would be looking into a civil lawsuit. Carlson has an estate as do the people who stood around and did nothing. As sad as this reality is….some people only care if you hit them in the wallet- other than that- they are apathetic toward stepping up and doing the ‘right thing’ because it’s not their kid or grandchild who is being sexually molested thus it’s not ‘their problem.’ Again PATHETIC.
Abuse of power at it’s best
If this was my child I would make Ted Kozinski look like a Girl scout.
there are no mean, ugly attorneys in Maine…at least not in the Bangor area…..the elite all have them in their back pockets….they won’t take a case without a retainer and do you really think that any of the poor families Carlson preyed on can afford a large retainer? They have it all sewed up in Bangor…can treat the poor like crap and get away with it..Almy doesn’t give two hoots….his paycheck is free and clear and he will be elected again…..most of poor don’t vote….he counts on that…….
Dan Lilley
Agreed. The whole column feels disjointed and, frankly, unnecessary at this point. And, as in my other comment, who is this Dr. Sefton guy and what does it have to do with this case? Gagan nailed himself by calling Sefton’s sexual misconduct a ‘gray area because the woman was the aggressor’. I would have to assume both he and Ms. Ordway still don’t fully understand professional misconduct. If she did, she would clarify after the quote by Gagan that sexual misconduct among those holding positions of power in the community is all about power, not about sex. Even if the woman was attempting to create some sort of relationship with her therapist, it is ALWAYS the responsibility of the person in power to exert clear boundaries. Her only responsibility is her vulnerability as his client.
It’s why professional/safe boundary training classes or the likes thereof are mandatory on a yearly basis in order to maintain one’s licensure amongst almost all the therapeutic/’helping’ professionals these days. Religious institutions have been slow to get moving on this but are getting there.
We need to call Saul.
We want the truth. MSP needs to stop withholding information from the public regarding Carlson. What you are doing is supporting continued sexual child abuse by not giving us all the facts while protecting those who were abused. Your are showing men who protect one another in perversion. Stop the cycle of sexual abuse unless you like it or want to cover it up. We do need another unbiased credible person to review this report.
Perhaps there is so much more to the story that many are apprehensive to expose it.
He’s a piece of work looking for his 15 seconds of fame. I cringed when he said the woman was
the aggressor (in the case w/psychologist). So what! Psychologists have a strict code of ethics that prohibits such relationships. Why is he even involved with this case?
I, too, cringed when I read that the woman was the aggressor. Isn’t that what all abusers say when confronted with their abusive behavior. “She made me do it!” “She asked for it!”
Thanks Renee
Thanks Renee . We need to protect kids . The Greenleaf case left a lot of unanswered questions . At least not made public. I always respected MR. Gastia now I am not so sure. The Bangor officers reported to thier Boss???
Reene why did Welsh and Reid of the Bangor Police Dept. just let it go and not ever bring it to a head back then. What were they hiding??? Will Lt. Reid still beable to keep his job and penison for not conducting a full investagation into what Carlon was doing at 2 and 3 am in the morning in Bangor in front of Welsh’s house off Mt Hope Ave. Maybe you could interveiw Bobby and Tim to see what his take is on this. There to many unanswered questions that the Bangor PD and State Police are hiding from the public. Just tell Sheriff Ross and he will take a full page out in the BDN and let us all know the out come.
Seems to me Mr. welsh got into a little trouble years ago . maybe it was and OUI or something with not calibrating a breathalizer the right way? I can not remember the exact thing. I could be wrong. Anyone Know ? Care to share. I remember years ago DA. offered my brother a week in exchange for a guilty plea in an OUI . Judge gave him 30 days. Was some serious issues about MR. welsh at that time. Funny Mr. Foss got off with least then 30 day for sexual relations with a 10 year old. I guess it depend on who you are.
Renee I know you know things that most people would not and maybe could never prove . At least have herd stories that you believe might be true but could not back up. We can never take the human factor from police work. But to cover for child molesters like apparently happened here is just as bad in my book as the molester themselves. The worst that can happen is you get fired . Protect kids of get fired I would take getting fired . Funny I have also herd no one know if Carlson jumped? We do not . Yes most likely he did. Sometimes thier is nothing wrong with keeping an open mind . If a man would cover for a molester like could have happened here they must be real sociopaths and in my opinion could never be trusted.
“When the state police don’t disclose stuff it means there is stuff they don’t want disclosed … it’s a coverup.”
OR theres stuff that cant be confirmed as fact……
This completely shows disrespect for the process. Nobody knows what the process was to come to this report, but to question it because YOU want more information…well, thank goodness it doesn’t work that way. The death of this pedophile made getting the whole story impossible. Maine should be happy they got any report. Maybe people will feel better if they can lynch some innocent people to let out some frustrations.
When people mandated to report did not some laws were broken. How many more pedophiles are being covered up for? Yes not reporting is covering up. Having a son in scouts I would like to know who I can trust . Guess you can not trust anyone.
That’s what bothers me the most is the cloud of distrust which hovers over Glenn Ross, MSP, Almy, therapists, BPD to the Hussson president. After I read the report, it is clear to me they could have done more on multiple levels to stop Carlson years ago. I would like to see to what extent they could have stopped him to help people understand how to deal with situations like this in the future and show why people need to report. The way this has been handled just encourages people to continue not to report and protects people in positions of power to do nothing and get back at you if you report them. It encourages people to remain silent and sexual abusers to continue abusing. So sad.
Have had this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach wondering if the therapist who did not make the report (of numerous allegations of sexual abuse) works for Hope House. Bob Carlson was CEO of the Penobscot Community Health Center, with Hope House part of PCHC. All of those unprotected little boys …..
Tell me how did this pedophile find out he was being investigated????? I am not saying he was pushed but when facts are not made public it makes people wonder.
How did he find out he was being investigated. Sheriff Glen Ross tipped him off after promising the State Police he would keep quiet about the investigation that’s how.
“He also suggested that no one “knows for sure that [Carlson] actually jumped off that bridge,” suggesting that perhaps he was pushed.”
Are you kidding me? The man weighted 300 pounds. Maybe there were 3 guys that lifted him over the 5′ railing and threw him in. What a joke. Renee, it wasn’t worth publishing his quotes. I think he gets a high from sticking his nose in police business on the other side of the US and getting his name printed in the papers.
Do you know for sure he jumped? Funny no vid cam . I would bet money they have vid cams over the Penobscot narrows bridge. He most likely jumped . That dose not mean anyone knows for sure he did . Unless the saw him jump. Who suggested perhaps he was pushed Renee? If they had all this evidence he was molesting kids why was he even let out of police sight? Warned he was being investigated? Like I said not saying he did not jump. Just saying we do not know unless someone saw him jump or it is on tape. I guess the cams at the obseveratory just were not working that night. A lot of things will will never know for 100% . Maybe he molested my kids and I tossed him off? I think I could toss a 300lbs man over if I was mad enough.
I went to the bridge webcam, I dont believe you would be able to tell anything, maybe car lights pulling up. The camera is a long way from the bridge.
Maybe more than one camera.
There are two, both are at distance, they are on opposite sides of the bridge. Both are a substantial distance away.
True enough and both would have show foot and vehicle traffic before and after Carlson parked his car on the bridge.
Carlson jumped to his death.
At night you could see headlights from vehicles crossing the bridge,thats about it, check it out yourself, DOT waldohancock bridgecam, foot traffic no. It would be very interesting to see the tape from the time period of this event, to see if it conforms to the story given concerning time frames etc.
And we know these are the only two cameras how? Remember how Bangor PD caught the murderer of the young woman down behind then Hollywood Slots? They followed the video camera trail from behind Hollywood Slots all the way up Main Street. Who knew there were that many private and public owned video cameras.
we were discussing cameras aimed at the bridge there are two, of course there are other cameras in town etc. If you know of some other cameras give the link or location.
Do you really believe that we know where all the cameras are? Do you really think that all the cameras are available as a webcam or a link? Just because we don’t know or see where all the cameras are doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
Then use your public safety connections and tell us all about them. Maybe he was under 24/7 surveillance, just because you did’nt know about it does’nt mean it did’nt exist right? Maybe he was forced to jump, just because we don’t know about it does’nt mean it did’nt happen right? You’re trollling, have a nice day!
LOL….Yup I’m “trolling”.
You want to make Carlson suicide something it wasn’t. He jumped to his death rather than face his accusers. He jumped to his death because his complete and total life was a fraud. He jumped to his death because while he wanted to look like the tough guy running around town with the quasi police cruiser with the EOCC plates and the collar when he was really deep down inside a coward that hurt children.
Carlson jumped to his death because he was a fraud, a pedophile, a coward that hurt little children and didn’t want to face the music.
And one last thing…you are so hung up on did he jump or was he pushed or forced over the edge that you forget about all the people that knew or had suspicions about what he was….a pedophile.
A therapist that said they knew of a “half dozen” victims and didn’t report it.
Two Bangor police officers that saw him late at night with a young boy (that wasn’t his own child) leaving the darkest part of a parking lot in the early AM hours and thought about doing something but didn’t.
A Penobscot County DS that saw him with young (8-9) boys between 1 and 2 in the morning in the jails control room and did nothing.
That is what we should be focusing on….the people that knew and did nothing…the people that had suspicions and did nothing.
By their inaction’s, they allowed Carlson to continue his evil for how many additional years?
You want to call me a “troll” go ahead….I will continue to “troll” and point out to people when we lose sight of the real victims (and here’s a hint IT ISN’T CARLSON!)….the young boys Carlson sexually abused.
You defended him to the last when the accusations first surfaced attacking everybody that even suggested carlson’s involvement in something evil. Now you are the champion of preventing this from happening again,? The original conversation was re: cameras, I found out some info, you disagreed based on nothing other than opinion. I stated facts you stated opinion.
Yup and I have addressed this in the past but for your benefit I will address it again. I defended and asked people to reserve judgement until the facts came out. Now the facts are out and some came out prior to the MSP report being released.
If you were accused of some crime would you want the people that “thought” they knew you to defend you or throw you under the bus because your name was in the paper for some crime? I am sure that you would want the people that “knew” you to defend you. Once the facts came out and it became obvious that you committed the crime you were accused of the people that “knew” you would slowly fall by the side and you would be left alone. For the most part that is what happened in the Carlson case.
Now, one of the original articles mentioned surveillance cameras. Are these surveillance cameras the same as webcams? I doubt it. I don’t know of any surveillance cameras that double as webcams.
Carlson jumped to his death. There is no evidence that he was pushed, forced over or otherwise coerced to go over the side.
My concern right now are the victims of Carlson’s abuse and how do we prevent mandated reporters from not reporting. If the therapist or the two Bangor cops or the PC Deputy Sheriff had done what they were REQUIRED to do Carlson just might have been stopped much earlier.
In closing you have stated facts as far as the webcams are concerned anything related to Carlson’s doing anything other than jumping is pure opinion on your part.
The bridge has 24 hour surveillance cameras. While none are focused on the bridge deck where Carlson jumped from, they would show any vehicles or foot traffic coming or going.
Unlike TV, suspects under investigation are not kept under “watch” 24/7. No department has that kind of manpower.
So you believe you could toss a 300-lb male, fighting back over a 42 inch high railing by yourself?
There is enough speculation swirling around Carlson without adding to it. He jumped.
Hmm maybe if I had a gun it would be easier . He could have been told to or made to jump. JD I am just one of those people that believes anything is possible . Maybe not likely just possible. If were the odds were a billion to one then if could happen . Just the way my brain is wired lol . If I was a kid in todays world I would have an autism spectrum disorder . I am ok with that now. Education and me did not fair so well . Like global warming is caused by fossil fuels. I say prove oil is even a fossil fuel. That no one know for 100% . If it was not ya think the oil companies would want you to know? I am wron probably more than I am right but at least I know that most people do not. Just the abstract way my Brain works. You are a great guy just seem more normal and have biases like everyone else. What a respect about you is you can change your mind when you get REAL facts . Most people can not. Keep up the good work you do. Like the time my DNA results can back negative the odds were 800 billion to one against. My girlfriend is in the medical field 4.0 in stats . I told her you do not know if had an affair with the lady giving the test? Or bribed her . Odds are never that high.
You know, I have been wondering about how he got his big butt over the railing which would be no easy task for an average weight person. And why was one of his shoes on the bridge; wouldn’t that make it slippery on the metal with just a sock on one foot and harder to get up and over?
Renee is correct. There are many, many questions about the Carlson matter that remain unanswered. I am sure that had Carlson not taken his life that we would have had a lot of those questions answered either in the investigation that the State Police would have done or at trial. But we will never know because as soon as Carlson found out that he was the subject of an investigation he committed suicide. How did he find out? Glen Ross told him. So we can thank Penobscot County Sheriff for all of the unanswered questions.
Upon re-reading the article, I see the involvement of Dr. Sefton. Again, these 2 – and their credentials and professional practices, sound sketchy. Renee is right about the ‘threat’, and these folks maybe need to stay out of it.
The ‘gray area because the woman was the aggressor’ is more victim-blaming and scapegoating. It is the responsibility of the professional to maintain boundaries, period. This kind of viewpoint is exactly what keeps victims from coming forward, as it takes alot of courage to reveal persons in power who have abused their privileged position of power. These guys sound like more of the same.
The reason Mr. Gagan is “involved” (or maybe inserted) into the Carlson case was because of the “psychological autopsy” he and three other “former police officers” performed in the Lake triple murder in Dexter in 2011. One of those “former police officers” is identified as Dr. Michael
Sefton.
Renee, your courage to push the quest for questions is commendable ! What we are saying is, trust the institutions that missed this one without knowing what has changed, who has changed, and most important, who knew what and when and who looked the other way? When will we know?
I suspect that there are other prominent members of our State who may have been involved in the alleged cover-up in order to lessen damage to themselves. I agree with revealing more about the investigation than what the SP have already released. Further, as a citizen, I would favor a deeper look into the alleged role of the Sheriff. I agree whole heartedly with your story.
Reene why don’t you do your investigation through BDN and interveiw Welch and Reid find out why they really never reported has police officers too the DA Office or maybe Almy was hiding something. Glen Ross had suspect something different about Carlson the con artist. CEO at Husson may have known something more. PCHC higher ups had to know things that were different about Carlson. But maybe the pay they were getting was enough to shut there mouths. I don’t understand Welsh and Reid being on the force as many years as they have and still grant Carlson the con artist the right to come in the Bangor PD.
Carlson was so adept at the grooming process. Anyone who visited Bagel Central in the early mornings found him ‘holding court’ with Bangor PD folks. Always interesting to see him sitting in the middle of a long, rectangular table facing outward to the rest of the place. Struck some of us as being similar to the famous Last Supper depiction…. BPD folks were smitten with him, as were many others. The crime is in the grooming.
Great way of putting it.
The coward jumped, but if I was a victim I would find some big city lawyer looking to make a buck, then contact lifetime for a movie!
Here’s the link to the webcam for the bridge, it is focused on the deck . If there are other cameras I’d like to see the link to see if they could have shown anything.
waldohancockbridge.com/waldo-county
Renee, you could write a great article about the shroud of suspicion on the people who were interviewed and the pieces left in the investigation report. I found many interviewed and lack of action very compelling when I read the report. Keep plugging away on this one Renee.
why can’t we move on from this horrific and abusive man? Victims are left alone to seek help. No one in the police force or other organizations will ever be held accountable and even if they are questioned, the crimes of Carlson will drag out. Let’s focus on the victims and what they need and forget about the rest of the crap left behind by the so-called reverend. So sick of of the “what-if’s” and “why nots”.
I will tell you why. If this man was covered for maybe others are. We do not want this to happen again.
be real. There will always be abusers and people who cover them to protect themselves and their jobs. It’s a different world. These stories will continue for a long time. I agree tho, education is key, as are background checks and continuation of monitoring those around or involved in children’s lives. Sometimes tho, it can be a parent and nothing can be done. I know.
I would say make a law toss people in jail who do not report. Oh wait we already have a law. Enforce it make it tougher. Yes you are right as long as we have people like MR. Almy the refuse to do anything they will keep looking the other way. That makes me sick. I worked for a few dishonest people in my day and you know what i would not stand for it . yes I lost my job for far less than these people but for doing the right thing. Protect a witness BS. if the witness broke any laws by not reporting.
Why is Brian Gagan an “expert?”
I don’t understand the need to confuse the issue w/amateur “analysis” from
this guy & for him to now inject a whodunit w/regard to Carlson’s swan dive
seems a tad dramatic.
Someone needs to speak up about what he or she knows & knew over the
years. Who is going to provide that pressure? “Someone’s” conscience?
Doubtful
Anyone who interfered with the investigation before the coward jumped to his death should be arrested plain and simple.
The truth of the matter, all of the truth, needs to be made public. If there was a coverup, then the citizens of Bangor have a right to know about it. The people who knew or had good suspicions about Carlson’s wrongdoing should not have a free pass now that he is dead. We are responsible for our actions, and for our failures to act. The Holocaust Museum has it right, it states that we should not be victims or perpetrators, but above all, not bystanders.
Right…unless they want to encourage a loss of faith in our law enforcement or anarchy.
Renee, I believe you have done a grave disservice to your paper and to its readers while knocking the work and the capabilities of these people. I am an attorney and former elected official in Maine and I know Mike, Brian, and Ron for many years, and I know of Joe Laughlan. I would follow the 3 that I know anywhere. After subscribing to your paper for almost 7 years, I will cancel my subscription next week. These guys have been into very big and ugly stuff up here for the last year and I am ashamed that you are now one of the few that are actually participating in these coverups along with other people scattered from Augusta to Houlton. These men are smart enough and have the guts to not cave in to shoddy journalism on your part or the actual coverups occuring on at least 2 recent cases by the state police and DA Almy who has become more and more incompetent each month. I and probably everyone else who knows Mike and Brian and Ron and Joe would encourage you and your like to buckle in. It sounds to me like you wrote this column as a proxy for the complicit parties who have much reason to make sure that the truth stays in the dark. I find that both inappropriate and quite unethical. But that get’s us right back to the word “cover-up” doesn’t it?
Interesting comment.
You know two of the folks mentioned in the column & bring up two others who are not?
For what reason?
The seadog220 doth protest too much methinks.
Reenee is the only one (seemingly) asking questions.
What do you actually know “seadog220” (or… What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as _____________ .)
Then persuade them to do their own investigation since we cannot trust our own public servants. Let’s get this all out in the open.
The bottom line is most people do not want to here the truth. It dose not sell papers. We can not trust anyone. I have notice the moral of Bangor LE has gone down hill in resent times . Was a time a cop could be friendly and really help. Now it seems to depend more on who you are. By all means do not question authority.
Seadog, how do you figure Renee is participating in the coverup? Methinks your friendship with the 3 you mentioned is perhaps blinding yourself to the thinly veiled threat that Gagan uttered. As an attorney, I would expect you to have an open mind, and be able to look at this story from all sides… You too, have a duty to uphold the law, to uncover the truth. If you can’t see that Renee is now trying to do this, to uncover ‘the rest of the story’, then maybe you’re part of the problem. There is still a lot that stinks to high heaven about this story – it should see the light of day, and now. It is very encouraging and uplifting to see the outpouring of love for our children and our brethren. Sexual Abuse Must Stop! This wave of support, this demand for the truth – people have had enough! Our society is reclaiming/redefining its morals as we speak. The TRUTH must come out, and we must all hold our society to higher standards.
Too bad you’re canceling your subscription… I think you should hang around and see how the story ends…
Well said Seadog220 – Renee needs to clean up her own back yard.
Thank you Renee (and to Nok-Noi too) for continuing to cover the “Reverend” Carlson clergy sexual abuse story. The more that the spotlight shines on this dark evil, the more likelihood other victims of Carlson will come forward to report their abuse to authorities and to get professional help. Some survivors are following the BDN articles to be sure, and it will some day prove to have helped in the start of their healing process, even though it is extremely difficult to have to confront right now. Those who have not yet had the courage to come forward need to understand how much many of us community members care, regardless of the allegations that some community leaders were involved in a cover up. Don’t let their inaction speak for others. The truth will eventually come out, as the spotlight is too bright now for it to hide in darkness as it had with Carlson for so many years. Clergy sexual abuse of children and adults happens in every denomination and religion; as it is an abuse of power and spiritual authority. For many years it was assumed to be mostly a “Catholic church problem”, but Carlson’s horrific abuse demonstrates otherwise. Another sad truth is that cover up happens in all denominations and religions as well. Noone wants to think that a Pastor, Priest, Rabbi, Muslim Cleric, or any other clergy member would use their position to take advantage of a child or adult sexually, but unfortunately it happens more than denominational officials will admit. If you are a survivor of clergy sexual abuse please know that you are not alone. Although it was founded for Catholic abuse survivors, SNAP (www.snapnetwork.org) is a great resource for children who were abused by any member of the clergy. For adults who were sexually abused by a clergy member, The Hope of Survivors (www.thehopeofsurvivors.com) is an excellent resource. May the healing start and continue as the truth is revealed and justice is served; and may Renee and Nok-Noi continue to cover this story until those two very important elements are completed. Just when people thought the local media would be part of the coverup, they have proven that not to be the case. Let’s encourgage other local media, including the local TV stations, to do investigative work on the Carlson story as well. May local journalists prove themselves to be as good as any other journalists in this country. Hopefully the National news outlets will pick up on this horrific story this as well, as it is crucial that the spotlight shine brightly on clergy sexual abuse so that it becomes more and more difficult for clergy members to begin with, or to continue with.
Hey, bring FOX News in to get to the truth. We welcome their presence for the truth and to help those abused to know they were not alone.
Bravo…well said! Thank you for naming how prevalent this evil is with adult victims as well. The Hope of Survivors is a fabulous resource. Also check out http://www.baylor.edu/clergysexualmisconduct/index.php?id=67406 .
This landmark study done in 2008 on the prevalence of sexual abuse of adults by clergy has confirmed what many mainline Protestant denominations are dealing with yearly. Maine has had its fair share of Protestant clergy misconduct with adults in recent years, including those in the Bangor area. I believe the BDN has an opportunity – and a responsibility – to continue to report on this.
Thank you! …and also I appreciate your reference to the Baylor University study by providing their website link. Hopefully many will read it as it provides important education. I came across that link before and know that they did an excellent job researching this horrific abuse.
welcome. Good to see someone else knows about The Hope of Survivors. Samantha and Steve are outstanding resources!
Carlson was ball headed slob and there nothing good to say about him.