Trenton Cathedral Dean Charged with Sexual Exploitation
Episcopal News Service. July 25, 1996 [96-1532S]
(ENS) Lawsuits have been filed against the former dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Trenton, New Jersey, charging that he sexually exploited male cathedral employees. The Rev. Chester Grey resigned as dean May 2 with a public acknowledgement of his homosexuality, a few days before a former employee filed a sexual harassment suit against him, the cathedral and the Diocese of New Jersey. A second suit was filed June 19 by nine other current or former employees. Saying in a prepared statement that "we are deeply saddened by this action," Bishop Joe Doss of New Jersey told a meeting of members of the cathedral congregation that Grey is under psychiatric care. According to the suits, Grey offered jobs to black and Hispanic men who came to him for counseling, at times allowing them to stay at his residence. The plaintiffs have claimed that Grey exploited their personal difficulties, including drug and alcohol addiction, immigration status and criminal probation, to pressure them to perform sexual acts.