A married woman in California is suing her former pastor after he allegedly seduces her and convinced her to get an abortion when she became pregnant.
According to ABC7 News, Kimberly Labozzetta, 34, is suing The Quest Church in Novato, California, and her former pastor and marriage counselor, Joe Everly, for sexual assault, sexual harassment, fraud, sex gender discrimination retaliation, failure to prevent harassment, discrimination and retaliation, negligence, wrongful termination, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false light.
“It is not an affair. It is an abuse of power. There is a name for it. Clergy abuse,” Labozzetta told ABC7 News.
Labozzetta has been married to her husband Chris for some nine years.
She also says that Everly revealed the affair to the congregation and she ultimately lost her job working at the church.
Labozzetta worked as a youth pastor and project manager at the church. He also provided marriage counseling to her and her husband.
“A trivial example would be that I wanted Chris to be romantic. (Everly) knew I wanted more bubble baths. Every day for a week he would leave a different piece of bubble bath kit,” Labozzetta said.
When Labozzetta found out she was pregnant, she said Everly told her to get an abortion. Her husband had a vasectomy years ago.
Labozzetta said Everly told her God approved of the relationship. He also said he would leave his wife to be with her.
According to SFGate.com, Everly resigned earlier this year.
Photo courtesy: Unsplash/Fulvio Ambrosanio
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