By Micha Green
AFRO D.C. Editor
mgreen@afro.com
Soon after Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced charges against former Catholic priest Scott Asalone, District of Columbia Council member David Grosso (I- At Large) revealed he was the victim of the clergyman’s sexual abuse.
“Last week, the Commonwealth of Virginia indicted and detained Mr. Scott Asalone for criminal sexual abuse of a minor that occurred in the 1980s while he was a Catholic priest assigned to Saint Francis de Sales Church in Purcellville, Va. The minor he assaulted was me,” wrote Grosso in a statement on March 16.
Council member David Grosso (I-At Large) revealed that, as a young teen, he was a victim of sexual abuse by a former clergyman who was recently indicted for his alleged crimes. (Courtesy Photo)
According to an official statement from Herring, Asalone, of Asbury Park, New Jersey, was indicted by a northern Virginia multi-jurisdictional grand jury on March 12 and arrested on March 14. He was charged with one felony count of “carnal knowledge of a minor between 13 and 15 years old.” Next, the case will be tried in Loudoun County Circuit Court.
“This is the first criminal indictment stemming from our ongoing investigation with Virginia State Police into potential clergy abuse,” said Attorney General Herring.
As a means of indicting his abuser, the Council member was asked to testify against Asalone and share his experiences. “State authorities asked me to provide testimony to the grand jury in Fairfax, and I did so, only to prevent Mr. Asalone from ever hurting another child,” he wrote. “Evidence I presented, including my testimony, resulted in the issuance of a criminal indictment on one count of carnal knowledge of a minor, a class IV felony. I understand that Mr. Asalone was taken into custody on Saturday in New Jersey and is in the process of being extradited to Virginia.”
Grosso, 49, said the assault by Asalone, now 63, occurred during a particularly trying moment in his adolescence.
“This occurred during a very difficult time of my life. Since then, I have been working through the negative impact of this abuse on my life. With the loving support of my wife Serra and my family, I am proud of the progress I have made,” Grosso wrote.
The Council member explained he underwent intensive therapy in the 1990s in order to cope with the trauma of the sexual abuse. Yet, once state authorities in Virginia obtained the file on his case from the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, they contacted Grosso- thus unearthing buried pain that has affected his career.
“This new investigation into a crime the Diocese attempted to bury for decades has ripped open old wounds, stirred dark memories and caused fresh trauma as I have been forced vividly to relive the tragic events of my childhood,” Grosso wrote. “I have again received therapy and made difficult decisions to advance my recovery. My conclusion not to seek another term as a Councilmember was heavily influenced by this new case.”
While the Council member is not preoccupied with his personal career advancement at the moment, he used the moment of Asalone’s recent indictment to encourage other victims of sexual abuse to speak up.
“I am making this statement because I understand the tremendous burden that victims of sexual assault and abuse carry throughout their lives. As I did many years ago, we all must find the courage to come forward, tell our stories, and seek justice and accountability from the perpetrator, as well as the churches and other institutions that have hidden or excused their behavior,” Grosso wrote.
Many District residents and colleagues praised Council member Grosso for his bravery in speaking up about his abuse and public transparency on this traumatic life event.
“This took great courage on your part,” former Council member Yvette Alexander said to Grosso via Twitter. “I’m glad justice prevailed and sending you love and light.”
Attorney General Herring is also encouraging others to disclose if they have information related to the case against Asalone or any instance of abuse.
“The investigation remains ongoing and if anyone has information related to this case or any other instance of abuse I would encourage them to please contact us as soon as possible,” Herring said “I know that stepping forward to share your experience can be difficult or scary but I want you to know that, even if it happened years ago, we will still take it seriously and make sure you get the help and support you need.”
