Loveland Gateway Baptist Church pastor denies coverup. Info on alleged sex offender too sketchy

[Ian David]

Loveland pastor denies coverup
Info on alleged sex offender too sketchy
By Electa Draper
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 07/13/2007 01:35:35 AM MDT

Loveland - Gateway Baptist Church Pastor James Rice on Thursday called false and unfair police accusations that he and two assistant pastors failed to report a church member who allegedly committed a series of sexual assaults over the last two years.

Fort Collins police cited Rice and assistants Thad Gunderson and Eric Mowen on Wednesday for the misdemeanor offense of failing to report abuse or neglect.

"If we were wrong, then we were wrong," Rice said. "We stand under the law and don't put ourselves above it. But we did not try to cover this up."

Police officials said in a news release that the pastors were made aware of the illegal acts of 23-year- old Paul J. Lavertu of Windsor as early as summer 2006.

More:
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_6362894