Episode 03: The Other Boston Sex Scandal
What if the institutions you trust to protect the vulnerable were instead their worst predators? Join us on a harrowing journey through the Boston Sex Scandal of the 1970s, where systemic failures and nefarious networks allowed the exploitation and trafficking of children to flourish. We’ll uncover the tragic story of Dick Bavley a social worker who betrayed his duty to protect, and explore John Mitzel’s pro-pedophile book, “The Boston Sex Scandal,” which reveals how the man/boy love movement attempted to attach itself to the legitimate gay rights movement.
Unearth the dark origins of the Revere boy sex ring and expose the involvement of influential figures like Father Paul Shanley and millionaire Roger Spear. Through firsthand accounts and detailed investigations, we shed light on the hidden network of abuse that permeated Boston during that era. Our episode underscores the importance of reporting child sex abuse and provides the National Sex Abuse Hotline for those in need, ensuring that the voices of victims are heard and supported.
We wrap up by examining the broader implications of these sordid revelations, highlighting the systemic failures and cover-ups that protected perpetrators. Hear the courageous story of John Sweeney, a survivor who shares his painful experiences, and learn about the unsolved cases of missing and murdered children linked to these dark networks. By supporting our podcast through Patreon, you help us continue to raise awareness and seek justice for the survivors. This episode is a solemn tribute to those who have come forward and a reminder to all survivors that they are not alone.
Episode Links
National Sexual Assault Hotline
Ex-Students File Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against Newton Boarding School
Unholy Communion. Vanity Fair Article on Fr. Paul Shanley
Bishop Accountability – Database Tracking Clergy Abuse
Timeline For The Episode
1975
- Dick Bavley, social services supervisor, is implicated in defrauding the Department of Public Welfare and placing foster boys with known pedophiles. His death by suicide occurs while under investigation.
- Bavley’s Embezzlement: Bavley stole over $19,000 (equivalent to $125,000 today) through fraudulent claims for foster care, including fictitious individuals like Mary McGrath.
- April 17, 1975: Bavley’s Suicide after he realizes he will go to prison.
- Massachusetts Attorney General’s office, Boston police, and state police form a task force to investigate the placement of 5,500 foster children. The outcome of the Task Force Investigation is unknown.
1977
- December 9, 1977: 24 men indicted for involvement in a child trafficking ring. The men, including wealthy individuals from Washington, Florida, and Connecticut, paid to exploit young boys.
- Boston Globe: Report covers the investigation, the involvement of wealthy individuals, and the trafficking of boys for child pornography and prostitution.
- Photographic Evidence: Hundreds of photos and films of boys were found at Richard Peluso’s apartment.
- Fessenden School in Newton, MA, assistant headmaster Arthur Clarridge is linked to the Revere ring. Testimonies from survivors
1978
NAMBLA (North American Man-Boy Love Association) is formed in response to the indictments, initially called the Boston Boise Committee.
- April, Gore Vidal’s Speech: Noted author Gore Vidal publicly supports the men on trial at a fundraiser in Arlington Street Church, dismissing the accusations as a moral witch hunt.
- Superior Court Chief Justice Robert Bonin attends the fundraiser, later facing disciplinary proceedings.
- Tom Peisch: The prosecutor’s role in trying to hold the defendants accountable for child exploitation.
2011
- Multiple Fessenden School students in Newton, MA, come forward alleging abuse by at least six members of the school community.
2016
- 2016: Spotlight team investigation revisits the abuse at the Fessenden School, and survivors come forward to share their stories.
- Former Fessendens students John Sweeney and Adrian Hooper hold a press confrerence about the sexual abuse they endured at the hands of Clarridge and Dallman at the Fessenden School.
Characters Featured In The Episode
Janice
The sister of Leigh Savoie, who vanished from Revere, MA in April of 1974. She recounts her emotional memories of waiting for his return after his disappearance. Her story emphasizes the deep personal impact of the events covered in this episode.
Melanie McLaughlin
The host of Open Investigation, a true crime podcast, and a childhood friend of Andy Puglisi. She is dedicated to uncovering the truth behind the disappearance of children in Massachusetts and exposing the hidden networks of human trafficking in the 1970s.
John Mitzel
Author of The Boston Sex Scandal. His 1980 book presents a controversial perspective, portraying pedophiles as part of the broader fight for civil rights within the gay movement. His book is frequently referenced throughout the episode.
Dick Bavley (Richard Bavley)
A social worker and Vietnam veteran accused of placing foster boys in the homes of pedophiles under the guise of public welfare. Bavley was under investigation for embezzlement and child trafficking when he died by suicide in 1975.
Bavley Foster Son
Former foster child of Dick Bavley. He shares his personal story of abuse at the hands of Bavley and his involvement in the foster care and child trafficking system. His testimony is central to understanding the scope of Bavley’s crimes.
Lillian Jackson
A colleague of Dick Bavley at Project Place, a home for runaway children. She trusted Bavley at the time and expresses shock upon discovering his involvement in child trafficking.
Father Paul Shanley
A notorious pedophile priest from the Boston Archdiocese. Shanley was involved in counseling runaway boys and advocated publicly for “man-boy love.” He was later convicted of multiple counts of child sexual abuse.
Roger E. Spear
A wealthy Massachusetts millionaire involved in child trafficking and drug-fueled parties with underage boys. Spear was implicated in multiple crimes, including murder, but evaded long-term prosecution.
Tom Peisch
The assistant district attorney who prosecuted the Revere Boy Sex Ring case. He provides a detailed account of the investigation and legal process surrounding the Revere pedophilia network.
Frank Damiano
A school bus driver who was convicted of raping multiple children, leading to the exposure of the Revere child trafficking ring.
Richard Peluso
Owner of the Revere apartment where the child trafficking took place. He became a cooperating witness for the prosecution in the case.
James Dallman
A teacher at the Fessenden School in Newton, Massachusetts, arrested for his involvement in the Revere child sex ring.
Arthur Clarridge
Assistant headmaster at the Fessenden School and a central figure in procuring boys for the Revere pedophile network. He testified for the prosecution and was not convicted for his crimes.
John Sweeney
A former student of the Fessenden School who came forward decades later to share his story of sexual abuse by Clarridge, Dallman, and Roger Spear.
Adrian Hooper
Another former Fessenden School student and sexual abuse survivor who shared his repressed memories of abuse, including being filmed during the assaults.
Garrett Byrne
District Attorney of Suffolk County during the Revere Boy Sex Ring case. He expanded the investigation beyond Massachusetts to other states and implicated figures nationwide.
Dr. Donald Allen
A child psychologist affiliated with Children’s Hospital, one of the men indicted in the Revere case.
James P. Dallman
A teacher at the Fessenden School in Newton, Massachusetts, who was arrested for his involvement in the Revere Boy Sex Ring.
Edward Mede
A karate instructor involved in the Revere Boy Sex Ring.
Lou White
A salesman and one of the men involved in the Revere Boy Sex Ring.
David White
A security guard involved in the Revere Boy Sex Ring.
George Dreifus
A Harvard-educated psychologist with the Lindemann Mental Health Center, also implicated in the sex ring.
Henry Rideout
One of the men arrested as part of the Revere sex trafficking ring.
Donald Heres
A man involved in the Revere Boy Sex Ring.
Whitney Chase
A lobbyist from Washington, D.C., who was connected to the Revere sex ring.
Elaine Noble
A prominent gay rights activist and state representative who immediately denounced the actions of the men involved in the Revere case.
Gore Vidal
Famous author and activist who controversially supported the defendants in the Revere case and spoke at a fundraiser hosted by NAMBLA advocating to end age of consent laws.
Chief Justice Robert Bonin
A Massachusetts Superior Court judge who attended a fundraiser for the defendants, leading to a disciplinary investigation and his eventual resignation.
John Sweeney
A survivor of abuse at the Fessenden School, he later came forward to share his story of abuse by Clarridge, Dallman, and Spear.
Adrian Hooper
Another survivor of sexual abuse at the Fessenden School, who remembered his abuse by Clarridge and Dallman after years of repressed memories.
Faith Puglisi
Mother of Andy Puglisi, who shares her experiences of searching for her son and discovering the possible connections between his disappearance and the Revere child trafficking.