An 18-year-old woman who claims she was repeatedly molested while in a foster home says the horrific abuse could have been prevented, according to a new $3.5 million lawsuit.
The teen, identified only as C.B., is suing the city and nonprofit foster agency St. Vincent’s Services after she was allegedly sexually abused by Joseph Gorham, foster mom Jovonne’s dad.
In the suit, C.B. says she and her two younger sisters endured the nightmare for seven months in 2009.
C.B. blames St. Vincent’s, which is contracted by the city, for allegedly not looking into Jovonne’s background.
“The city is not doing adequate cross checks,” said C.B.’s lawyer, Bruce Young.
Joseph was busted in November on child-sex-abuse charges. His defense attorney declined to comment.
St. Vincent’s didn’t return a message and Jovonne could not be reached.
A city Law Department spokesman said it would review the allegations.