We previously posted about the deposition of William Airey and what it revealed about our case on behalf of our plaintiff, who alleges that he was abused as a child by Airey in Ohio. The case is proceeding there. Here are some additional things that Mr. Airey testifed to:
- Until 1996 he drank to excess and sometimes until he “blacked out”.
- He frequently took male Mooseheart students on overnight trips, which often involved attending Moose functions. Mr. Airey shared a hotel room with the student(s).
- William Airey was investigated by Moose International in 1996 in connection with allegations or suspicions that he had sexually molested two male Mooseheart students.
- The 1996 investigation into whether Mr. Airey had sexually abused any children was re-opened in 2007 after a file was found in a storage area. The issue as to whether Mr. Airey had sexually abused any students at Mooseheart was then discussed at a meeting of the Executive Board of Moose International. Director General Frank Sarnecki decided not to inform the Supreme Council of this information regarding Mr. Airey.
- On at least one instance while he was attending an out of state Moose function, Mr. Airey drank in the hospitality room of the hotel with other Moose members and then went back to the room he was sharing with a male student; Mr. Airey awoke during the night and found the student sitting and shaking in the bathroom. That student later alleged that he had been sexually molested by William Airey. Mr. Airey denied these allegations.
- On several occasions Mr. Airey took underage males to the Playboy Clubs in Cincinnati and Chicago
These facts raise numerous questions for Moose International, which employed Mr. Airey for many years in various positions, all of which we believe gave him access to minor children. We ask:
1. Why did the Ohio State Moose Association and Moose International allow Mr. Airey to remain a member, let alone become CEO of Moose International and the Director General of the Moose in light of his being arrested for “lewd and lascivious conduct?”, the other inappropriate conduct to which he has admitted and his drinking problems?
2. Did Moose leadership keep Mr. Airey’s drinking problems and sexual misconduct hidden from other members of the Moose before or during Airey’s employment by Moose International? Did they share the information about Mr. Airey with all of the members of the Loyal Order of Moose, before voting on him to be the Director General? Who at Moose International and Mooseheart School, knew of Mr. Airey’s history of misconduct?
3. What did Moose International, the Ohio State Moose Association and Mooseheart School do with regard to Mr. Airey’s improper conduct?
4. In light of Bill Airey’s admitted behavioral problems, why did Moose International let Mr. Airey take numerous male students to Moose related events and then share hotel rooms with them?
5. Why did Moose International and Mooseheart School allow Mr. Airey to remove children from Mooseheart to be alone with him?
6. What actions, if any, did Moose International take after they learned that William Airey got drunk while taking a number of Mooseheart students to Cincinnati?
7. Did any members of the Moose express concern when they learned that William Airey was sharing a hotel room with a minor male? If so, who reported their concerns and how and to whom were these concerns expressed?
8. What led Moose International in 1996 to investigate William Airey on suspicions or allegations that he had sexually abused two Mooseheart students while on overnight trips?
9. Who participated in the 1996 and 2007 investigations of Mr. Airey and what was the extent of the investigation? Were there independent investigators, experts who were trained in how to conduct an interview of a victim of childhood sex abuse, law enforcement or social agencies involved? What actions, if any, were taken as a result of these investigations? Who at Moose International was aware that these investigations took place and where are the files related to these investigations?
10. Were there any complaints or concerns about Mr. Airey’s work with children while he volunteered at Brookwood Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Ohio?
11. Were there any complaints or concerns about Mr. Airey’s work when he served as a traveling auditor for the Moose while he was living in Pennsylvania?
12. Why wasn’t the Supreme Council informed of the investigation(s) of William Airey for suspected or alleged child abuse?
Everyone, especially people who belong to the Loyal Order of Moose, should demand answers to these questions. Members of the Loyal Order of Moose and the local Moose Lodges devote a tremendous amount of time and money to help children. Mooseheart School has aided thousands of kids who had no place else to go. It is a shame that some members of oose leadership have apparently failed to live up to Moose principles.
We encourage any child sex abuse victims of William Airey to come forward. You may have legal rights arising from your being sexually abused. The criminal and/or civil statutes of limitations may not have run in the state where you were abused. You are not alone.
If you have information about William Airey’s conduct with children while employed by Moose International, we would like to speak with you. Please call or email at any time. May all children be safe from the harm posed by sexual predators.