Doug Perlitz's release pending trial on sexually abusing Haiti street children may hinge on higher bond

Haiti program founder's release may hinge on higher bond http://www.connpost .com/ci_13517597 Judge hints higher bond may be OK By Michael P. Mayko STAFF WRITER Updated: 10/08/2009 10:14:49 PM EDT   Click photo to enlarge   NEW HAVEN -- Real estate in three states worth $2.3 million, a part-time job with a Fairfield lawyer and residence at a retired Fairfield lawyer's home were not enough to secure Doug Perlitz's release on bond Thursday. But another $3 million, as well as an additional custodian or two, might get the founder of a charitable program in Haiti out of jail until his trial on charges of sexually abusing nine of the children he was helping. U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis continued the hearing to Oct. 19 after indicating she might be more receptive to a $4 million to $5 million bond with more local involvement "given the gravity of the charges." Perlitz, a thin, sandy-haired man dressed in prison khakis, waved to supporters who packed a side of the courtroom to witness him plead not guilty to seven charges of traveling overseas to engage in sexual conduct with minors and three charges of engaging in illegal sexual conduct with minors. Each charge carries a maximum 30-year prison term. Perlitz, 39, formerly of Fairfield, is held at the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, R.I. The arraignment was the calmest part of the 90-minute proceeding. Margolis heard William F. Dow III, Perlitz's lawyer, disclose the "government is extremely interested in Paul Carrier," the Jesuit priest who served as Fairfield University's director of campus ministry and community service as well as headed the Haiti Fund, which raised millions for Perlitz's Project Pierre Toussaint program.   The program, which began as a street clinic grew into a residential school for street boys in Cap Haitian, Haiti, also built a two-story home where Perlitz lived. He was referred to as the "King of Project Pierre Toussaint." Dow said if Perlitz were released on bond he could work part time in the law office of Thomas Tisdale on Spruce Street, Fairfield, and live with Anthony and Laura Sirianni in Fairfield while wearing an electronic monitoring device. "Short of putting him in a police station, handcuffed and strapped to a radiator, this is about as tight a control to put on any person," the defense lawyer said. But it wasn't enough for Assistant U.S. Attorney Krishna Patel, who said she knows of "no studies that those who molest children stop when they cross" a continent. Patel, who specializes in prosecuting sexual-abuse cases, said she never had "a hands-on sex offender released by the court." The prosecutor further advised the judge she would like to question any person who comes forward as a third-party custodian or agrees to post bond for Perlitz, as well determine who is paying for Perlitz's defense. Perlitz told a federal agent he only has "about $1,000," according to court documents. Tisdale as well as any other "current or former board members "of the Haiti Fund could clearly be a witness in the case," Patel said. "Certain board members engaged in conduct of a very disturbing nature." The federal probe determined more than $2 million was transferred from the Haiti Fund to an account Perlitz controlled in Haiti. "These monies did not include other significant capital expenses and other expenses that were directly paid by the Haiti Fund for Project Pierre Toussaint," Patel said in court papers. "Perlitz had access to an enormous sum of money ... and thus far there does not appear to be an accurate accounting of what happened to these monies." Western Union records confirm that from 2008 through 2009, "Perlitz was sending money" to individuals in Haiti formerly enrolled in his program, she said. The prosecutor also charged that beginning in July 2008 and continuing until March, Perlitz traveled to the Dominican Republic to meet with some of the children and adults associated with his program, shuttered recently because of lack of funds. On the night before Perlitz's Sept. 16 arrest in Colorado, Patel said he admitted receiving 17 calls from Haiti. The Haitian national police department, which began investigating Perlitz's activities, has a warrant for his arrest. During a conversation with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, Perlitz denied sexually abusing any of the children. But he allegedly said "molestation would be tough" but the victims "should just get over it ... He said he got over his father's death and even though it was tough he moved on ..." Patel disclosed in court papers. Dow downplayed the allegations, claiming they arose out of a rift between differing groups of people operating the Haiti Fund and Project Pierre Toussaint. "There are a number of people who support and believe fervently in his innocence and the good works he's done," Dow said.   ************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ****** Man charged with Haiti sex abuse pleads not guilty   By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN (AP) NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP)  "A former Connecticut man charged with sexually abusing nine boys at a school for poor children he founded in Haiti should not be released from prison because he poses a "clear and continuing danger," federal prosecutors said. A detention hearing was planned Thursday in New Haven to determine whether 39-year-old Douglas Perlitz, founder of the Project Pierre Toussaint school in Cap-Haitien, should continue to be held in prison. Perlitz, who formerly lived in Fairfield County, Conn., was arrested at his home in Eagle, Colo., last month. Authorities accused him of enticing children into sex acts by promising food, shelter, cash, cell phones, electronics, shoes and clothing. He also withheld benefits and threatened to expel the boys if they refused to have sexual relations, prosecutors said. Perlitz's attorney, William Dow III, said his client intends to plead not guilty and will argue he should be released from prison pending trial. Perlitz has surrendered his passport and would be monitored electronically if released from prison, Dow said. "There's no evidence, no claim that anyone in the United States has been endangered by my client," Dow said Thursday. "He is a man not only with a clean record but an admirable record who enjoys the support of many many people in the face of these allegations. " In court papers filed Wednesday, prosecutors call Perlitz a sexual predator who used a charitable institution to sexually molest vulnerable children for a decade. Electronic monitoring only tells authorities where a person is, not what they are doing, prosecutors said. "There are simply no conditions of release that can assure the safety of children in the community and his appearance in court," prosecutors wrote, citing the length of the alleged crimes, Perlitz' extensive international travel and access he had to millions of dollars in donations. Perlitz continued to visit and contact former students amid the investigation, prosecutors said. "He clearly is very focused on either controlling these individuals or has little control over his sexual impulses towards minors," authorities wrote. "In either case, he presents a clear and continuing danger." While authorities allege Perlitz sexually abused nine boys, they said "many more" told Haitian authorities they were sexually abused by Perlitz for a separate investigation. Perlitz told an investigator victims of molestation "need to move on and get over it," prosecutors wrote. Perlitz admitted "some boundaries were crossed" when he allowed children to stay overnight in his room but he denied any sexual contact with children, according to court papers. The indictment lists seven counts of traveling outside of the United States with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with minors and three counts of engaging in sexual conduct in foreign places with minors. The educational program initially served mostly street children as young as 6 years old, and later expanded to include a residential program for high school-aged children. Children were offered meals, sports, classroom instruction and access to running water for baths. Volunteers and staff members were scared to come forward with the allegations, the indictment says, because Perlitz controlled the school's operations and "utilized the fear of unemployment and the difficult economic situation in Haiti." Each count in the indictment carries up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.   ************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ****** School Founder Arraigned In Abuse Charges Founder Of Haitian School Is Accused Of Sexually Abusing Nine Former Students NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A United States district courtroom in New Haven was packed with supporters for Douglas Perlitz on Thursday.Perlitz is accused of sexually abusing nine students at a school that he founded in Haiti. At his arraignment and detention hearing on Thursday, he plead not guilty. In addition to calling the case circumstantial, Perlitz's attorney said that his family offered $2 million worth of property to secure his release until trial, and a Fairfield family would let Perlitz stay with them under house arrest with an ankle bracelet.The assistant U.S. Attorney said that he should not be released because since he had been forced out of the Haitian school, he remained in contact with former pupils, visiting them in the Dominican Republic. The judge wants to hear more from both sides, with a higher amount of money posted for Perlitz to be released. The detention hearing was continued until the end of October.