For Immediate Release:
March 16, 2020
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.286.1987 - mnocella@dccouncil.us
Statement of Councilmember Grosso on indictment of former Virginia clergyman
Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement from Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) regarding the Virginia Attorney General's announcement of an indictment against a former clergyman for carnal knowledge of a minor:
“Last week, the Commonwealth of Virginia indicted and detained Mr. Scott Asalone for criminal sexual abuse of a minor that occurred in the 1980s while he was a Catholic priest assigned to Saint Francis de Sales Church in Purcellville, VA. The minor he assaulted was me.
“This occurred during a very difficult time of my life. Since then, I have been working through the negative impact of this abuse on my life. With the loving support of my wife Serra and my family, I am proud of the progress I have made.
“Though the deep scars remain, I largely believed this incident was behind me, especially after I underwent intensive therapy in the 1990s. However, state authorities in Virginia recently obtained the Catholic Diocese of Arlington’s internal file on my case. Consequently, law enforcement contacted me regarding the case several times over the past year.
“This new investigation into a crime the Diocese attempted to bury for decades has ripped open old wounds, stirred dark memories and caused fresh trauma as I have been forced vividly to relive the tragic events of my childhood. I have again received therapy and made difficult decisions to advance my recovery. My conclusion not to seek another term as a Councilmember was heavily influenced by this new case. State authorities asked me to provide testimony to the grand jury in Fairfax, and I did so, only to prevent Mr. Asalone from ever hurting another child.
“Evidence I presented, including my testimony, resulted in the issuance of a criminal indictment on one count of carnal knowledge of a minor, a class IV felony. I understand that Mr. Asalone was taken into custody on Saturday in New Jersey and is in the process of being extradited to Virginia.
“I am making this statement because I understand the tremendous burden that victims of sexual assault and abuse carry throughout their lives. As I did many years ago, we all must find the courage to come forward, tell our stories, and seek justice and accountability from the perpetrator, as well as the churches and other institutions that have hidden or excused their behavior.
“I greatly appreciate the work of Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, law enforcement officers, and prosecutors. I believe the system can and will work to bring justice in mine and many other cases. As a legislator, I’ve had the additional responsibility of ensuring that victims have every available option open to them to pursue justice, including ending the statute of limitations for sexual abuse in the District of Columbia.
“Most importantly, victims of sexual assault and abuse should know that there are resources in the District of Columbia to help you. I encourage you to contact the DC Victim Hotline at 1.844.4HELPDC (1.844.443.5732) or online at www.DCvictim.org/chat. For more information and resources on the two-year window to file previously expired civil sexual abuse cases in DC, visit: http://bit.ly/2yearwindow.”
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