Kennedy blasts Fleury's delays
By
MICHAEL PLATT
Calgary Sun (Calgarysun.com)
Last Updated: 15th December 2009, 3:29am
It took him nearly 30 years to admit he was a victim of sexual abuse -- and now Theo Fleury says he needs a little more time before he hits his accused molester with a two-pronged legal attack.
Confirming that he plans to pursue both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit against former coach Graham James, Fleury said he won't let pressure from ex-teammate and abuse victim Sheldon Kennedy rush him into a police station.
"I'm dealing with it, and it's not as cut and dry as everyone would think," said Fleury.
"There's two sides, right? There's the criminal case and then obviously the civil lawsuit, and they're both intertwined.
"That's why we're getting our ducks in a row first, and then we'll move forward."
If Fleury follows through, it'll be the second time police have investigated James for allegedly molesting former players under his charge.
James was convicted in 1997 of more than 350 incidents of sexual abuse involving Kennedy and an unidentified Swift Current teammate, and was sentenced to three years-and-a-half years in prison.
Fleury had maintained a wall of silence throughout his professional playing career in the NHL, before finally making the accusation in an autobiography, Playing with Fire, released in October.
In his book, rife with tales of drug abuse and addiction, the now-sober Fleury claims James sexually abused him, starting when he was 14 years old.
After Playing with Fire was released, Fleury told a New York newspaper he'd hired a lawyer and wanted to pursue charges against James, but his publicist later said the question of a court case was up in the air.
In late November, The New York Times reported that Fleury hadn't even met with the lawyer, Hersh Wolch, to discuss the case.
The lack of apparent action has been an ongoing source of frustration for Kennedy, and now, he's blasting Fleury for wasting time.
"I don't know why you need a lawyer to file a complaint -- you usually need a lawyer after the fact, if you ever need one at all," said Kennedy.
Kennedy has dedicated his life to fighting sexual abuse, and recently spoke out about a Calgary case where a male hockey coach was charged for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old female player.
Kennedy said Fleury's claim that his book may help other victims speak out means nothing, so long as he delays in asking police to file charges.
"I think it's frustrating -- it's frustrating for me, when we're telling people to do the right thing and we won't do it ourselves," said Kennedy.
"Every day that Graham (James) is out there, it's a risk to a child, period."
James hasn't spoken publicly since the new controversy erupted, and Kennedy believes he's living under an assumed name, somewhere in the Montreal area.
"I got one email, from somebody who says he's teaching in Montreal, but nobody can find him," said Kennedy.
The last solid lead on 57-year-old James came after his release from prison, when he was reported to be coaching youth hockey in Spain.
Fleury's Calgary-based attorney, Wolch, said the case against James is proceeding, though legal work has slowed due to the approaching holiday season.
"(Fleury) has left it in my hands, and we're going to give it our full attention in the New Year," said Wolch.
Fleury's desire to pursue both criminal and civil cases against James have precedent.
The last player to seek financial damages from the coach also sued the league and team which employed the serial molester.
In January 1999, the unidentified former Swift Current Broncos player filed a lawsuit against the Western Hockey League and the Swift Current Broncos, among others, including James.
It was settled out of court in 2003.
Fleury, who was in Los Angeles for a meeting of a support group dedicated to victims of sexual abuse, said he hasn't forgotten his promise to pursue charges -- he just needs more time.
"When I'm mentally ready, I'll be ready to do it," said Fleury.
"It's only been a few months."
MICHAEL.PLATT@SUNMEDIA.CA