PORTLAND (AP) — A defamation trial targeting a Maine activist who accused an orphanage founder of sexually abusing teenage boys is drawing to a close.
Closing arguments are due today in the civil lawsuit brought by Michael Geilenfeld, founder of St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in Port-au-Prince, and Hearts with Haiti — a North Carolina-based charity that raised money for the orphanage.
They say Paul Kendrick of Freeport caused Geilenfeld to be falsely imprisoned and cost the charity more than $2 million because of false accusations.
Kendrick says his accusation that Geilenfeld is a serial child molester was supported by the testimony of seven alleged victims.
Two of them testified in person, and five others testified via videotaped deposition.
The case is being heard by a federal jury.
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