By Duncan Mackay

John Furlong profile 2July 24 - A lawsuit filed against the former President and chief exeuctive of Vancouver 2010 claims John Furlong sexually molested a female student a dozen times when he was a teacher decades ago in Burns Lake, British Columbia.


In a statement of claim filed in British Columbia's Supreme Court, Beverly Abraham alleges Furlong (pictured) would ask her to stay late after class before molesting her in the gym, the equipment room and a mechanical closet.

Abraham, who was 11 at the time, alleged in the statement that Furlong also emotionally and psychologically manipulated her, calling her his "beautiful Indian girl" and saying it was not wrong for him to touch her.

The lawsuit also names as defendants various British Columbia dioceses of the Catholic Church, alleging they were aware that Furlong was sexually touching Abraham and other children enrolled at the Catholic school where he worked.

Furlong, who is now the executive chair of Major League Soccer club Vancouver Whitecaps, has vehemently denied all accusations that he abused native students, and has filed a lawsuit against the Georgia Straight newspaper and freelance reporter Laura Robinson for an article it published last September.

Abraham is also suing for defamation after seeing a press conference after the allegations were published where Furlong stated those who say they were physically or sexually abused were lying or liars who were attempting to extort him.

Grace West is also accusing Furlong of physically abusing her while she was a student and he was a teacher at the Catholic school in 1969 and 1970.

West alleges Furlong kicked her in the buttocks, legs and back almost every day of the school.

She also claims Furlong touched her sexually in the changing room after gym class.

West claims Catholic Independent Schools Diocese of Prince George, the Archdiocese and the Diocese were aware of Furlong's actions, but did nothing about it.

West had to switch schools because of the abuse suffered, and claims to have had her sexual integrity violated.

She also alleges that she suffered health and psychological problems as the result of the abuse.

None of the allegations against Furlong has been proven in court.