LANCASTER - An individual has filed a lawsuit against Faith Friendship Villa, claiming that they were sexually assaulted by one of the organization's employees.
Plaintiff D.H. filed the lawsuit in the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County against Faith Friendship Ministries, Inc., doing business as Faith Friendship Villa, citing negligence.
According to the lawsuit, Faith Friendship Villa (FFV) had in its employ a worker named James Lee Zook, who was employed as a care director and activities coordinator. Plaintiff D.H. states that they began to reside at FFV's Mountville location in 2020, where they met Zook. According to D.H., Zook struck up a friendship with them and garnered their trust until 2021, when Zook allegedly sexually assaulted them.
Zook has been criminally charged with more than 600 counts of sexual assault against 12 FFV residents over the course of 15 years, with the FFV Director indicating that there may be even more victims. According to the lawsuit, FFV was aware of the abuse while D.H. and Zook were in contact with each other but negligently failed to take any meaningful action to prevent it.
Recent media reports indicate Zook planned to plead guilty to many of the charges.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of the mandatory arbitration limits and any other relief the court deems proper. They are represented in this case by attorneys Nathaniel L. Foote and Veronica Hubbard of Andreozzi & Foote in Harrisburg.
Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County case number CI-23-06392