Douglas Perlitz was once praised for his work with Haitian students. Perlitz opened the Project Pierre Toussaint School in 1997 to help underprivileged youth in Haiti receive a good education.
With over $2 million of donations, Perlitz was able to take in homeless teens and provide them with food and place to stay on his 10-acre compound that featured classrooms, dorms and a soccer field.
However, Perlitz abused his power by molesting the boys who attended his school. According to reports, American volunteers became concerned when they learned that older boys at the school were raping the younger students.
The older students then told volunteers that Perlitz had been raping them for years. Perlitz maintained control by threatening to kick the boys out of the school and put them back on the streets if they told.
Perlitz was arrested in September 2009 and admitted to engaging in sex with eight minors.
On Dec. 22, Perlitz was sentenced to 19 years and 7 months in prison.
Similar to Bishop Eddie Long, Perlitz posed as a philanthropist and community leader only to abuse the less fortunate individuals who trusted him. Although Perlitz will serve 20 years in prison for his crime, the boys who he abused will likely face a lifetime of torment. –a.r.
