A Tarrant County jury awarded $124 million to a woman who accused her former pastor, Jose Francisco Bernal, of sexual abuse. Bernal was arrested in 2017 and charged with the continuous sexual abuse of two children who attended his church in Fort Worth. Despite a mistrial in 2022, prosecutors dismissed the charges against Bernal. One of the victims filed a civil lawsuit in 2019, leading to the recent verdict. The jury found Bernal guilty of assault, sexual abuse, and sexual assault, awarding the victim $124 million in damages. The victim also named the church in her lawsuit, resulting in a settlement where the church agreed to pay her $100,000 and hand over the deed to its property. Attorney Bob Washington believes this significant judgment sends a message to all church leaders who abuse children. The information for this article comes from court documents, past news coverage, and conversations with the victim’s attorney. This case highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, especially when it comes to protecting vulnerable individuals from abuse.
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