CASTINE, Maine (WABI) – The attorney for a man who says he was sexually abused at a Maine school in the 1970s announced a six-figure settlement to their claim against the Society of Jesus in New York.
The claim says Neal Gumpel, who was a minor at the time, was visiting a relative at Maine Maritime Academy in 1974 when he was sexually abused by Father Roy Drake.
According to Gumpel’s attorney, Drake, who died in 2008, was hired to teach chemistry at MMA in 1973 while on leave from the Jesuit order.
Drake was transferred 18 times by the society and put in a treatment center for pedophiles in Missouri, according to Gumpel’s attorney.
He was also accused by others of sexual abuse.
Before Gumpel spoke Thursday, his attorney described the supervisors at the society at the time as negligent while adding they did not care about innocent children they were responsible for protecting.
“I’ve always been uncomfortable with a term and a few people I know who had been through things like I’d been through have said the same thing,” said Gumpel.
“I didn’t survive. What happened that night was murder. I was a very sweet kid, I used to write poetry and sing songs and neighbors would tell you, I was not a smart kid. I was really stupid in school, but I was really sweet. I was in school plays and I was athletic, but I was a very nice kid. That ended that night,” said Gumpel.
Gumpel described the struggles he went through after the abuse took place which included homelessness, alcohol abuse, and attempted suicide.
He said to anyone who didn’t believe him or called him a liar, he won.
Gumpel said that night has destroyed his life, and he’s finally on the path of getting it back.
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