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Shelter workers deny abuse accusations By JONEL ALECCIA TALENT - A 22-year-old Medford woman who took a job at a youth shelter because she sympathized with troubled kids denied Thursday that she gave a 15-year-old client cigarettes in exchange for sex. "Nothing like that happened," said the woman, one of two shelter workers facing a criminal investigation by the Oregon State Police. Her denial was echoed by a 43-year-old Medford business manager accused of forcing a 16-year-old girl to show him her breasts in exchange for privileges. "No. That didn't happen," said the man, who claimed his accusers are motivated by financial gain. "It's easy for someone to make an accusation like this and we get put through the mill." Neither individual has been charged with a crime in connection with alleged misconduct at the Youth Diagnostic Shelter, 5605 S. Pacific Highway. The shelter was closed after an investigation sparked by notices of potential civil lawsuits filed by the alleged victims and their families. Because of the nature of the crimes, the Mail Tribune agreed not to identify the shelter workers unless charges are filed. Both supervisors had been working at the shelter for about six months, most often on weekend nights, they said. She said the $7.50-an-hour job offered good pay and the chance to help young people. "I didn't like staying up all night and I didn't like cooking or cleaning," she said. "But I liked working with the kids because I knew where they were coming from. I felt for them." The woman said she was fired in April for an unrelated incident: She admitted a girl into the shelter without searching her, a security violation. The man said he took on the part-time job to gain experience for a career change. He hoped to get a job working with youth when the new juvenile justice center is completed in Medford. He called his 16-year-old accuser "a drug-induced, pathological liar" and said she and her family were hoping to sue the shelter and its supporting government agencies - and win. "It's just a potential money-making situation," said the man, who added he remains on paid administrative leave from Community Works, which runs the shelter. "I have years of good reputation that's at stake." Kelly Andersen, a lawyer for the alleged victims, agreed that his clients are seeking money, but for good reason. "If someone has been raped or someone has been forced to show her breasts, they have been damaged and they deserve compensation," Andersen said. "I think the evidence will indicate overwhelmingly that the incidents happened as they say they did." Both clients claim that they were abused on the same night, March 2. OSP officials this week expanded the investigation to include new criminal allegations. Arnie Green, executive director of Community Works, declined comment Thursday on the ongoing investigation. The 27-year-old shelter serves an estimated 300 troubled youth each year. Its 16 beds are contracted by the Oregon Youth Authority, state Services to Children and Families and Jackson County. Together, the OYA and SCF will conduct a review of the shelter program once the police investigation is complete. 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.