Missouri education board head faces 2nd lawsuit

HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, The Associated Press

Originally published January 24, 2013 at 2:28 p.m., updated January 24, 2013 at 10:11 p.m.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A former congregant at a Kansas City church alleges the new head of the Missouri State Board of Education used his position as pastor to engage in sexual misconduct, the second such lawsuit filed against him in a little more than a year.

The latest lawsuit, filed late Wednesday in Jackson County Circuit Court, alleges that the Rev. Stan Archie made lewd comments about his sexual prowess after he began counseling a 15-year-old female member of the congregation, who is now 23. Archie also is accused of encouraging the teenage girl to act promiscuously and report her experiences to him, often by Skype. The suit said Archie sometimes would masturbate as she told him her experiences.

The suit said Archie told her he was her pastor and mentor and that nothing they were doing was wrong.

A lawsuit filed last year claimed that Archie engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with his former assistant.

Archie first was appointed to the state board in December 2006 and began his term as its president in January. Sarah Potter, a spokeswoman for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, said in an email that the department "has no comment at this time."

Archie didn't immediately return phone messages left Thursday at his home and Christian Fellowship Baptist Church. His attorney, Michael McCausland, said he just received a copy of the suit Thursday morning and hadn't yet discussed it with Archie.

In the latest lawsuit, Archie is accused of telling the plaintiff he used to be a pimp and "that if she had been born 'back in the day' he would make her his and described what that entailed."

The suit said that by the time the plaintiff was 17 and 18, Archie started calling her "Princess," buying her clothes, paying her rent and providing gifts and money to her. The plaintiff alleged that Archie once spanked her in a way that felt sexual. He also told her that someone had posted a sex tape of her on the Internet and called her a "million-dollar sex maker," the suit said. The plaintiff doesn't know whether a sex tape was posted or not.

The suit also names his church, Christian Fellowship Baptist Church, as a defendant, saying it was aware of previous misconduct involving Archie and failed to supervise him.

The first suit claimed that sexual misconduct started during counseling sessions with Archie. It said Archie found the plaintiff's "deepest vulnerabilities and began to exploit them for his own gratification" and that the pair ultimately became involved in a sexual relationship.

Rebecca Randles, the attorney who filed both lawsuits, didn't immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

Barbara Dorris, the outreach director for the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, said the organization is "disturbed" by the allegations and commended the plaintiffs for coming forward.

"Their courage is safeguarding others," Dorris said in a written statement.

More like this story

JCLifer 4 months, 3 weeks ago

This isn't good...

JCsleeper 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Nasty.

JCsleeper 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Guess this would be the one to investigate teacher-student sexual misconduct.

connor 4 months, 3 weeks ago

One of the articles floating out there has him allegedly telling the girl that he had once been a pimp and had a team of girls.

We have some board of Education don't we?

JCLifer 4 months, 3 weeks ago

At least he is good at forming relationships with kids.

connor 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Kinda opens up a few options for special "Team" sports doesn't it? :)

connor 4 months, 3 weeks ago

I have to tell ya when I posted my above reply the first word in the verification string was "PEDOMETER".

Sometimes I really think some programmer somewhere has way too much of an off the wall random generator kinda sense of humor.

usmc007 4 months, 3 weeks ago

They the Board didn't do anything when I a service connected disabled Marine was racially attacked & had my Va Benefits stolen from me by Linn State. Guess if they appointing predators to Lead by Example that's why they failed me. Jc lifer come on with your comments lol...

usmc007 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Who is going to pay for his Legal services? His bud's who appointed him? The governor? We tax payers? Or will he be terminated like they did to the city Administrator!!

eileen10 4 months, 3 weeks ago

usmc I'm afraid you lost me when you said Linn State stole your VA benefits and were you attacked on campus?

usmc007 4 months, 3 weeks ago

@ eileen10 yes & yes! Instead of a safe learning environment,was in a racially Hostile environment once reporting the issues they along with my so called Va counselor retailiated against me in doing so....Now hopefully,you got a better underrstanding of the situation. Im not mad and etc but its still about the principle of it. Just sad how you protect your country and believe in the system and it fails you miserably! But ill keep my faith and maybe I will get to finish my 40 credits towards my bachelors. No hard feelings at all God is Good, i just stay in prayer 24/7.

eileen10 4 months, 3 weeks ago

I'm so sorry you went through that. I wish you well and I do hope you will be able to finish your credits. You have a good attitude which for most would be hard to do.

usmc007 4 months, 3 weeks ago

@ eileen10 thanks and thats what we are taught as Marines to ADAPT and Overcome...besides that I've gotta lead by example for my 13 yr old son, while also teaching him the system sometimes works but not all the time but to keep FAITH in it. Also, to make Good sound decisions and not let his emotions get him into the system.

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