Citadel denies lawsuit's claims of sexual misconduct

The Citadel is denying a lawsuit's claims that the military college was negligent in failing to report a former camper's allegations of sexual misconduct by admitted child molester Louis "Skip" ReVille.

The lawsuit centers around the school's failure to notify police of a 2007 complaint that accused ReVille of showing young boys porn and masturbating with them at The Citadel in 2002. The lawsuit was filed in December by an unidentified mother who contends that the school's inaction allowed ReVille to go forward and sexually assault her son on numerous occasions in 2007 and 2008.

The Citadel recently filed court papers challenging that assertion and arguing that the mother lacks legal standing to file the suit in the first place.

In its response, the military college stated that it "specifically denies any and all allegations that imply or suggest it knew of ReVille's dangerousness in 2007."

Among other things, the response states that the lawsuit fails to state a legal reason why the courts should compensate the mother for emotional distress. The school insists it had no ties to the mother at the time of the alleged abuse and no legal duty to warn her about ReVille. The school further argues that the mother's claims are barred under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act.

The Citadel is seeking a jury trial to contest the allegations.

Citadel attorney Dawes Cooke declined to comment Tuesday on the filing or the pending litigation.

Gregg Meyers, an attorney for the mother, said he stands behind the lawsuit and looks forward to challenging the school in court. "The Citadel is claiming that when they know someone has a sexual interest in a child it is not their job to tell anybody, and that is unfortunate," he said.

The suit indicates that the boy was under age 16 when the alleged incidents occurred, and that he came in contact with ReVille through athletic activity. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and a court order forcing The Citadel to report all future sexual abuse allegations concerning children.

ReVille, 32, held multiple teaching, coaching and volunteer positions in the Charleston area. He was arrested Oct. 28 in Mount Pleasant and stands accused of molesting nine boys in that town. Police in Hanahan, Summerville and Charleston also are investigating ReVille's actions, and authorities have indicated that more charges are on the way.

Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or on Twitter at @glennsmith5.