Former Ohio man says Moose Lodge official abused him

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

A lawsuit alleges the top official of the Moose International fraternal organization sexually molested a boy in Ohio and Louisiana more than 30 years ago.

The lawsuit by South Carolina resident Jason Peck accuses William Airey of the abuse around 1980 beginning when Peck was 12 years old and Airey was a member of a Columbus-area lodge.

The lawsuit filed Thursday says Airey abused Peck at Moose lodge-related functions beginning in the Columbus area and continuing elsewhere, including New Orleans.

Moose International says Airey was traveling and unavailable to comment.

It says he won’t have contact with children at a Moose International school in suburban Chicago until further notice.

The Associated Press does not normally identify sexual abuse victims but Peck’s attorney says Peck is choosing to go public.