UPPER DARBY, Pa. (WPVI) — The founder of a Delaware County drug resource center has been charged with extorting his drug addicted clients for sex.
Lawrence Arata founded the Opioid Crisis Action Network in Upper Darby after the death of his son in 2017.
Only the Action News Investigative Team was there as Arata left the Media courthouse with his attorney on Wednesday afternoon.
The arrest comes after accusations by several women that he withheld critical resources in exchange for sexual acts and denied those in recovery the help they sought from the agency he ran for his own desires.
Authorities in Delaware County have charged Arata with human trafficking, witness intimidation, and other charges.
He had no comment, but his attorney maintained his client’s innocence.
“These are women who need help; there is no doubt. And he was helping them, and as you mentioned, you may or may not know, my client’s son died of an overdose,” Arata’s attorney said.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer says Arata coerced at least two victims into sexual favors in exchange for gift cards for things like food, clothing, and transportation.
“When there are people like Larry Arata, low lives who are preying on these women, we want to put a stop to it, and that’s why we made the arrest,” he said.
In the criminal complaint, it is alleged that one sex act occurred in his car near 69th Street Station, and others at a Chester hotel where he lived while up for work.
Arata lives in Cape May County, NJ, but he is formerly of Havertown. He also ran for Congress in the 5th district in 2018.
Arata started the recovery advocacy Opioid Crisis Action Network, or OCAN, after his son’s overdose in 2017.
Stohlsteimer said Arata’s nonprofit was largely funded by county money received in a nationwide opioid settlement. After a search warrant was executed, he allegedly confronted some of his accusers.
“We learned he visited some of these women and tried to get them not to cooperate with law enforcement,” said Stollsteimer.
The investigation began earlier this summer after a whistleblower and alleged victim came forward to the DA.
Action News has been investigating for weeks.
“We also believe there may be more victims out there,” said Stollsteimer. “So, this is a continuing investigation, and we’re asking anyone to come forward to the district attorney’s office or even call victims’ assistance in Delaware County.”
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