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Shelter victims, agency aim for settlement The lawyer for at least 3 teenagers discusses money with Community Works By JONEL ALECCIA At least three victims of two former Community Works youth shelter workers convicted of sex crimes are attempting to negotiate a financial settlement with the agency, their lawyer said Friday. "We will naturally try to resolve it out of court, if possible," said Kelly Andersen, a Medford lawyer who represents two teen boys and a girl. Andersen said he has been talking with Community Works' insurance company since the November conviction of Desiree Seiver, a former Youth Diagnostic Shelter supervisor who admitted having sex with his clients, boys then aged 15 and 16. Seiver, 23, of Central Point, is serving more than four years in prison for sexual abuse and racketeering involving those victims and others. The conviction Thursday of shelter supervisor Wayne Randall Gatrel on sex abuse and racketeering charges strengthens the victims' arguments in favor of compensation, said Andersen. Gatrel, 43, of Medford, was convicted of fondling and having oral sex with girls at the shelter, including Andersen's client, who was 16 at the time. "A conviction means that Gatrel cannot deny what he did," Andersen said. Jackson County Circuit Judge Ray White ordered a pre-sentence investigation of the case. No sentencing date has been set, but Gatrel faces a minimum of five years and 10 months and a maximum of 48 years in prison. Gatrel's lawyer, Larry Parker of Medford, argued in court that the teenagers' testimony was motivated by possible financial gain. Parker could not be reached for comment Friday. If negotiations with Community Works fail, Andersen already has notified the agency and the county and state entities that support it of his intent to file civil lawsuits on behalf of the victims. He would not say how much money his clients are seeking and he declined to name the insurance company representing the nonprofit social service agency. But Arnie Green, Community Works executive director, said he has talked with the insurance company and is not aware of any negotiations with the victims. Community Works relinquished operation of the shelter last fall in the wake of the sex abuse charges and allegations of mismanagement at the Talent site. The shelter, which serves youth ages 10 to 17, is now operated by Jackson County. No information was available Friday on whether the other shelter victims intend to seek financial compensation. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.