Chicago Evangelist Named in Sex Abuse Case

Chicago Evangelist Named in Sex Abuse Case                                         
Attorney says Gordon McLean took advantage of his connections to gain access to his alleged victims
By Tammy Leitner and Lisa Capitanini

A prominent evangelist who built a following ministering to gang members in Chicago and around the United States, who had unprecedented access to inmates, and who is credited with helping hundreds, if not thousands of youths change their lives, also allegedly had a secret life in which he preyed upon some of the same youths he vowed to help. Tammy Leitner reports. (Published Thursday, Apr 30, 2015)

Holman and five others are part of a civil lawsuit against McLean filed in 2013 alleging the author of 18 books sexually abused them in exchange for money....

But in 2008 McLean was arrested in west-suburban River Forest, accused of soliciting sex from someone he had previously counseled through the ministry. The arrest was eventually expunged, but soon after he left Metro Chicago Youth for Christ. The circumstances under which he left are unclear.

McLean continued to work with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office for three more years. A spokesman said the office knew nothing about McLean’s arrest for solicitation until 2011. That’s when they finally revoked his access to inmates.

But McLean continues to work with Chicago kids today as part of a new group he formed called Friends With Youth....
http://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/gordon-mclean-301747331.html


Civil lawsuit against McLean filed in 2013 alleging the author of 18 books sexually abused them in exchange for money.
http://media.nbcchicago.com/documents/McLeanComplaint.pdf