Former Ontario summer camp director accused of grooming, sexual assault in 2 lawsuits
CBC
WARNING: This story describes alleged incidents of sexual assault that may be triggering to some readers.
An Ontario boys' camp and its longtime director are being sued by a former student camper and a former staff member who allege they were both sexually assaulted by the director at Kilcoo Camp on separate occasions more than a decade ago.
Two lawsuits, filed at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Bracebridge, Ont., on July 27, accuse David Latimer, 61, of grooming, manipulation and sexual misconduct against a preteen student camper in the early 1990s and a young adult staff member beginning in the 2000s.
Both lawsuits allege Latimer manipulated the plaintiffs into thinking they were in a romantic relationship with him before or after he allegedly assaulted them.
Latimer denied the allegations in a statement sent to CBC Toronto by his lawyer. None of the allegations have been tested in court. No statements of defence have been filed as yet.
The lawsuits, which were first reported on by the Toronto Star, claim a minimum of $5.5 million in damages from Latimer and Kilcoo Camp, which is accused of failing to protect the two plaintiffs.
Kilcoo Camp, located approximately 180 kilometres northeast of Toronto on the shores of Gull Lake near Minden, Ont., primarily operates a private summer camp for boys between the ages of 8 and 16. It also offers outdoor educational programs for public and high school students throughout the year.
Latimer worked as director of the camp starting in 1985, according to its website, until he recently stepped down in response to the lawsuits.
Scott Hutchison, Latimer's lawyer, provided a statement to CBC Toronto on behalf of his client.
"The allegations suggesting that I harmed anyone associated with the camp or anywhere else are simply not true. I would never do anything to hurt any young person," Latimer's statement read.
Latimer's statement said he "chose to step away" from Kilcoo until the litigation is resolved.
Hutchison added that Latimer denies any wrongdoing and will defend the allegations in court.
In an emailed statement, Kilcoo Camp acknowledged it had been served with two statements of claim, but said "while the claim names the camp, these troubling allegations only involve the actions of the former director."
Kilcoo Camp said it "immediately" made leadership changes upon learning of a potential claim, and that Latimer is no longer involved in any way with the organization.