Though the statute of limitations has expired for two alleged sexual abuse victims to file criminal charges or a civil suit, two Boston men came forward this week claiming they were sexually assaulted by former Red Sox clubhouse manager Donald Fitzpatrick.
The two notified Red Sox executives they are seeking $5 million each from the organization, according to a Boston Globe report.
One of the victims, Charles Crawford, said he was assaulted in the Boston Red Sox clubhouse restroom on Aug. 22,1991, when he was just 16 years old. The other alleged victim, who asked to remain anonymous, said he was also assaulted by Fitzpatrick during the early 1990s while he was working as a clubhouse attendant.
The two alleged victims are the ninth and 10th former clubhouse attendants to accuse Fitzpatrick of sexual abuse. The team settled a $3.15 million lawsuit in 2003 with seven Florida men who alleged that Fitzpatrick molested them during spring training in the 1970s. In 2002, Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to four counts of attempted sexual battery.
Fitzpatrick passed away in 2005. Crawford, who said he came forward after being encouraged by Senator Scott Brown's revelation of being sexually abused as a child, has spent time in jail and partially blames the sexual abuse for the way his life has unfolded.
The Red Sox have scheduled a meeting with Mitchell Garabedian, the alleged victims' lawyer, to discuss the monetary demand.