Lenny Jones sued on behalf of alleged molestation victims
As police investigated child molestation accusations against him, Arroyo Grande’s Citizen of the Year Lenny Jones concealed property he owned to prevent the victims from ever getting money from him, a lawsuit alleges.
Lawrence “Lenny” Jones, 63, is currently in jail, charged with molesting four children who attended a birthday party at his home on March 22. The victims were three girls and a boy.
While a criminal case against Jones is still pending, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of two of the children Friday.
The civil complaint, filed by Arroyo Grande attorney Jim Murphy, accuses Jones of sexual battery, personal injury and fraudulent transfer.
Claims made in civil complaints only represent one side.
According to the suit, Jones directed the children to a secluded location of his home, where he committee lewd and lascivious acts upon then.
“It is further alleged the defendant photographed the children in positions of a sexual nature,” according to the suit.
The sexual battery committed by Jones, the suit claims, caused “traumatic psychological injury and physical pain.”
The suit further alleges that Jones, a real estate agent, conspired with another person to fraudulently transfer property.
“Such conduct was undertaken with the intent to defraud the creditors of the defendant,” the suit states. Those creditors, the suit continues, includes the alleged victims, “who would have a right to recover those assets from defendant Jones.”
The alleged co-conspirator is also a defendant in the suit, though that person was not identified by name.
Jones is currently being held in jail without bail.
An Army veteran, Jones is the past board chair of the Arroyo Grande Chamber of Commerce and a past president of the Rotary Club of Arroyo Grande.
He was named Citizen of the Year in January by the Arroyo Grande & Grover Beach Chamber of Commerce.
This story was originally published April 27, 2015 at 11:12 AM with the headline "Lenny Jones sued on behalf of alleged molestation victims."