Email links Jared Woodfill to Southern Baptist leader’s sex abuse scandal

In 2017, a Houston college student sent an email to the family of Paul Pressler, a former Texas judge and Southern Baptist leader, warning them of alleged misconduct. The student described Pressler as a pedophile, stating he had touched him and boasted about being naked with young boys. The student resigned as Pressler’s personal aide and requested that Pressler’s former law partner, Jared Woodfill, cease paying him to work out of Pressler’s Houston home.

The email, filed in Harris County district court as part of a lawsuit, reveals Woodfill’s role in enabling Pressler’s access to potential victims. The lawsuit accuses Woodfill and others of concealing decades of alleged rape by Pressler. The email highlights Woodfill’s continued provision of young aides to Pressler until at least 2017, 13 years after he was first warned about Pressler’s alleged predatory behavior.

In March, The Texas Tribune reported that Woodfill had testified under oath that he became aware of child sexual abuse claims against Pressler in 2004, while they were law partners. Despite this knowledge, Woodfill maintained Pressler’s political connections, even as Pressler received compensation through a network of young male personal assistants. Three individuals have accused Pressler of sexual assault or misconduct.

The newly uncovered email indicates that Woodfill continued to supply Pressler with young aides until 2017, less than a year after he was informed of new allegations. This timeline underscores the prolonged nature of the alleged cover-up and the continued access Pressler had to vulnerable individuals through Woodfill’s support.

Jared Woodfill, a prominent anti-LGBTQ+ activist running for the Texas House with Attorney General Ken Paxton’s backing, has been linked to Pressler’s alleged misconduct. The lawsuit and email reveal a pattern of complicity and failure to act, raising questions about the responsibilities of those in positions of influence. The case highlights the need for accountability and transparency in leadership roles, especially within religious and community organizations.

The Southern Baptist Convention has historically emphasized the protection of the vulnerable and the pursuit of justice. The case of Pressler and Woodfill serves as a reminder of the importance of these values in both personal and institutional contexts. The biblical call to “do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8) remains relevant as communities grapple with the consequences of past failures.

Source: Read the original report