Matt Chandler’s The Village Church Resolves Child Abuse Lawsuit
The suit sought $1 million in damages, but the amount of the settlement was not disclosed.
(Ministry Watch) Dallas-area evangelical Baptist megachurch The Village Church said it has resolved a civil case alleging that a former youth minister sexually abused a former parishioner when she was a child, while reiterating its position of innocence.
In the lawsuit filed in 2019, a victim identified as Jane Doe said Matt Tonne abused her when she was underage. The suit also alleged gross negligence on the part of the church for not protecting her and claimed that The Village should be held responsible for the conduct of its staff members.
“After a thorough and lengthy legal investigation, we maintain and firmly believe that we committed no wrong,” the church said in a statement on its website announcing the settlement. “We pray that the individual and their family continues to heal and receive care following this resolution.”
The suit sought $1 million in damages, but the amount of the settlement was not disclosed.
Tonne was indicted in January 2021 for indecency with a child involving sexual contact, accused of sexually assaulting Doe at a 2012 church camp she attended when she was 11. Tonne denied the allegations.
In August of 2020, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office dismissed all criminal charges against Tonne when…to continue reading, click here.
Editor’s Note. This article was written by Anne Stych and published at Ministry Watch