Opinion ID: 2453320
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sexual abuse allegation

Text: In 1992 J.P. or his father alleged that Nash had sexually abused J.P. when J.P. was a minor. Nash testified that he immediately denied the allegation, and that Bishop Kenny investigated the matter and found it not credible. It appears the complaint in 1992 was vague and did not allege any specific instances of abuse. In 2002 J.P. came forward with renewed rape accusations against Nash covering the period from 1979 to 1982, when J.P. was a young boy. J.P. alleged an extended pattern of sexually assaultive conduct over three years during which Nash isolated J.P. on trips (or even sometimes in Juneau). J.P.'s allegations were made in writing but unsigned and undated. It does not appear that he was ever under oath when making the allegations. J.P. read a prepared statement to a church board reviewing the charges, but there was no opportunity for cross examination. Nash denied (and continues to deny) J.P.'s allegations. He submitted an affidavit stating that he would not have done and did not do the things that [J.P.] alleges.... (Emphasis in original.) Nash noted that the Juneau newspaper reported that J.P. said that he had had no memory of the sexual assaults until three years before coming forward, almost 20 years after they allegedly took place. Further, Nash submitted aircraft logs contradicting some of J.P.'s allegations. [2] Nash's aircraft evidence was later confirmed by testimony from a retired Federal Aviation Administration safety inspector. J.P.'s allegations were turned over to Alaska Special Assistant Attorney General Richard Svobodny, who declined to prosecute Nash.