Maryland Removes Statute of Limitations – Opens Door for Victims to Refile Lawsuits Against C.J. Mahaney, John Loftness, Covenant Life Church, & Sovereign Grace Churches
Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 4:41PM The statute of limitations was the main reason the 46-page lawsuit against Covenant Life Church, Sovereign Grace Ministries, C.J. Mahaney, John Loftness, Gary Ricucci, Grant Layman, et al. was closed on May 18, 2013.
Even SGM acknowledged the fact. “Please note that this ruling does not specifically address the substance of the plaintiffs’ allegations.” (SGM Board: Update on the Amended Lawsuit, May 20, 2012)
Last month, the Maryland state legislature voted to remove the statute of limitations on sexual abuse. The provision was signed into law by the governor. Read here. This is a major development. Though I’d not recommend him based on personal interactions, here is what Boz Tchividjian posted on Twitter.
BozLaw P.A.
@bozlawpa
Maryland just enacted a law that allows child sexual abuse victims to file lawsuits even if their claims have already expired under an existing statute of limitations. If you were sexually abused as a child in Maryland, we’d be happy to speak with you about your legal options. 
3:53 PM · May 2, 2023
Bottom line, the victims from Maryland who were blocked in the past will be able to proceed. Indeed, some of them are doing so.
For example, Jessica Roberts-Thomas. She was John Loftness’ primary victim according to the lawsuit. In response to the new law, she posted on We Stand with SGM Survivors. Here are some excerpts.
Jessica Roberts-Thomas
Does this mean we might see some [justice] I’m ready to file AGAIN
Brent Detwiler
That is great to hear. I hope others join you and you’re able to find a better attorney this time around. You’re in my prayers.
Jessica Roberts-Thomas
I had no part in choosing the original attorney on the case. However, I have colleagues at Williams and Connolly, along with a close friend who is also a well known attorney; both had advised me that the initial case was handled incorrectly. As was seen inept. The law suit can, indeed, be re-filed. Criminal should have gone first, as is the proper procedure and followed by civil. Either way I’m ready
Brent Detwiler
Jessica knows what she is talking about. She spent three years studying at Georgetown Law School in Washington D.C.
Jessica Roberts-Thomas
and am one of the original complainants. I did not use a pseudonym. So, my account is ottp.
Brent Detwiler
Here is one of the articles I wrote about John Loftness. He is still a Regional Leader in Sovereign Grace Churches.
John Loftness in Focus – Former Chairman of the SGM Board & Alleged Sexual Sadist - BrentDetwiler.com -
Jessica Roberts-Thomas
Brent Detwiler I usually don’t have hate, like full on gut wrenching hate, for anyone. With him, I think, I can make room. The fact that they still believe him, is absolutely insane.
A few observations.
- Jessica was a major plaintiff in the Second Amended Complaint. With the change, she hopes for justice and plans to file again.
- She has connections. Williams and Connolly LLP is a top law firm in Washington, D.C. See Home - Williams & Connolly LLP (wc.com).
- Susan Burke was the original attorney. She did a poor job. I worked closely with her. So many mistakes were made along the way. The most critical was convincing the victims to start with a class action civil lawsuit rather than begin with criminal investigations carried on privately and professionally.
- After the lawsuit was dismissed, some of the victims pursued criminal cases but learned from law enforcement it was much harder to succeed because the seven law firms and 13 lawyers hired for the civil suit had been hard at work designing at strategy to protect the abusers and those who covered up for them.
- Jessica used her name, not an pseudonym, knowing harms could come her way as a result. They did. For example, after the lawsuit was closed, Mark Prater, the executive director of SGM, and other top leaders in SGM, said she (and other victims) made up her story for the money. That is slander of the most wicked kind!
- She says, “My account is ottp.” That means “only through the pain.” She suffered for telling her story in public in detail. No one does that if they are making up a bogus account.
- She says, “I think I can allow for…full on gut wrenching hate.” Most Christians would be quick to judge her on this point but it is right to feel profound anger toward your abuser. Even a holy hatred like the kind God has for the wicked (cf. Psa. 5:4-6; 7:11; 11:5-7). I have no doubt Jessica would love to see John repent.
- Jessica also says it is absolutely insane leaders in SGC still believe his lies and promoted him to be a Regional Leader in 2020. I agree. Loftness appears 53 times by name in the Second Amended Complaint. That is approximately four times more than all the other Defendants combined. Yet, he claims, “I have never physically or sexually abused a child—at any time, in any place, and in any way. Nor have I ever sought to shield someone I knew to be a pedophile from legal consequences for his actions.” He is a liar.
I wrote John Loftness in Focus – Former Chairman of the SGM Board & Alleged Sexual Sadist in July 2013. Eight years later, I interviewed Jessica for 2 ½ hours in May 2021. It only strengthened my conviction that she was truthful in the lawsuit and it deepened my resolve to continue helping victims.
It was gut wrenching to hear her traumatic account of repeated abuse and beatings. It is one thing to read about it, it is another thing to hear about it in personal conversation. The tears, fright, anguish, memories, and horrific details were all so real. These were not imaginary tales.
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Thursday, May 6, 2021 5:17 PM
To: Jessica Roberts-Thomas
Subject: Questions
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for sharing your heart with me on Saturday. It only increased my resolve. Could you answer a few questions?
Did you ever figure out who this person was in paragraph 87? “There was a man unknown to Plaintiff Roberts-Thomas standing outside the window watching her and Defendant Loftness.” …
I also talked to her brother, James Roberts back in May 2014. I came away convinced he too was telling the truth about his abuse and its cover up. I will never forget his vivid account of being forced to forgive Dave Adams by John Loftness and the fear it engendered in his soul. I wrote this article.
The new law ending the statute of limitations also opens the door for additional victims from Covenant Life Church to file suit who were not part of the original lawsuit. For example, the victims of Nathaniel Morales. He was found guilty and sentenced to 40 years in relation to three of them. I know of six other victims. His many crimes were covered up by C.J. and his staff. Now those victims can proceed with civil lawsuits if they desire.
No one could have anticipated this positive development. I’m sure Covenant Life Church, Sovereign Grace Churches, Mahaney, Loftness, Ricucci, and Layman are lawyering up and planning their defense. The last time, C.J. just barely missed being deposed.
This time, I hope he is called to account by adept lawyers who shred his categorical denials with the overwhelming evidence. I pray the victims prevail and are duly restituted.
I’d encourage them to proceed expeditiously. The abusers and conspirators are getting old. For example, Mahaney turns 70 in September, Ricucci is 75, and Loftness is 67. Witnesses are also aging.
The following articles document Loftness’ role in covering up child abuse, covering up Mahaney’s sins, and extolling Mahaney in grandiose terms.
C.J.’s State of His Heart Message - Reflection on Personal Sins
Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 1:05PM
Silencing a Voice for the Gospel
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:56PM
John Loftness Resigns as Chairman of the SGM Board
Monday, February 18, 2013 at 8:29PM
SGM Board Covers Up Request for Resignation of C.J. Mahaney and John Loftness
Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 7:00PM
Gary Ricucci & the Conspiracy Surrounding Convicted Felon, David Adams
Friday, August 2, 2013 at 8:11PM
Important Statement from Victim James Roberts Regarding Third Trial of Nathaniel Morales
Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 9:38AM
The Conspiracy to Cover Up the Sexual Abuse of Children Under C.J. Mahaney Grows as Shannon Truesdale Comes Forward to Tell Story of Abuse by Her Father & Sister
Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 12:18PM
Mahaney Indoctrinates Followers with Bogus Belief The Documents Were a “Slander Storm” from Satan Designed to Devour Him Like a Prowling Lion
Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 7:32PM
Alleged Sexual Sadist John Loftness Puts Himself Forward As Victim of Disloyalty & Abandonment During Eulogy
Friday, May 19, 2023 at 6:49PM