Gary & Drenda Keesee, Son and Ohio Megachurch Sued by Alleged Sex Abuse Victim

A woman who was 5 years old when a former Ohio megachurch youth pastor allegedly began sexually abusing her is suing him, his pastor parents, and the church in civil court. The case has drawn significant media attention in central Ohio, involving Gary Thomas “Tom” Keesee, 36, the son of Gary and Drenda Keesee, the founding pastors of Faith Life Church in New Albany, east of Columbus. The Keesees also host a show on Daystar TV called “Fixing the Money Thing.”

Tom Keesee is currently in jail, awaiting his Nov. 18 trial for 32 criminal sex abuse and rape charges from four victims, all children at the time of the alleged abuse. A 29-year-old woman, referred to as “O.W.” in the lawsuit, accuses Tom Keesee of battery and Gary and Drenda Keesee of negligence for not reporting the abuse. The suit alleges that the Keesees’ actions and omissions were reckless, willful, or wanton, justifying punitive damages.

The civil suit claims the Keesees were aware of Tom’s abuse of his own sister since the early 2000s. It states that Tom Keesee also sexually abused O.W. from age 5 to 16, and that his parents “knew or should have known” O.W. was also in danger. The suit asserts that Gary and Drenda learned on numerous occasions that Tom was engaging in sexual conduct with minor females, including his own sister and other members of Faith Life Church. Despite this knowledge, the suit claims they failed to report the abuse to law enforcement.

The suit was filed last Thursday by O.W.’s attorney, Konrad Kircher, in the Court of Common Pleas in Franklin County, where Faith Life Church is located. The Roys Report attempted to reach out to Keesee’s criminal attorney, Samuel Shamansky, and the Keesees’ spokesperson, Katari Buck, but received no responses. The Keesees previously stated that the abuses did not occur on church property and that they are cooperating with investigators. They also indicated they would not comment further until the criminal case was resolved.

The civil suit paints a picture of a family-run church that allegedly failed to protect its members from abuse. The case highlights concerns about accountability within religious institutions and the responsibilities of church leaders to safeguard vulnerable individuals. The legal proceedings underscore the gravity of the allegations and the potential consequences for those involved.

Source: Read the original report