Plaintiff’s Parents Named In Community Of Jesus Countersuit

ORLEANS – The Community of Jesus and two other nonprofits Wednesday filed suit in federal district court against the parents of the plaintiff that is currently bringing suit against them over the construction of the Community’s performing arts center. 

Ellen and David Ortolani are listed as defendants in the civil suit, which was filed Nov. 19 in U.S. District Court in Boston by the Community, Arts Empowering Life, Inc., and Performing Arts Building Foundation, Inc. Their son, Oliver Ortolani, filed suit in July alleging that the three plaintiffs, referred to as “the Charitable Organizations” in the most recent suit, resorted to child trafficking and unpaid child labor in constructing the performing arts center in Brewster. 

In the most recent suit, it is alleged that Ellen and David Ortolani were instrumental in leading the work program that allegedly involved children in the Community, including Oliver Ortolani and two of his siblings. 

“The charitable organizations will shortly move to dismiss each of Oliver’s claims pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6),” the suit reads. “Nevertheless, because Oliver’s lawsuit has been filed, they are entitled to contribution and indemnification from the Ortolanis.”

In his suit, Oliver Ortolani alleges that he was one of a number of boys who were “subject to forced labor and trafficking” through their role in helping build the community’s performing arts center, the suit alleges. Specifically, the suit alleges violations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Actions Act (RICO), and also alleges “unjust enrichment” by the defendants.

Also detailed in Oliver Ortolani’s suit are allegations that children were forced to work “nine to 16 hours a day without proper safety gear, training or breaks,” with minimal time given for breakfast and lunch. It is also alleged that child workers were “assaulted” or “shunned by the Community” if they complained or showed “even mild frustration with the harsh regime.” It is also alleged that children were kept out of school under the pretense that the work on the center constituted “educational coursework,” and that Community members hid children from government inspectors when they visited the project worksite.

The countersuit alleges that Ellen and David Ortolani were instrumental in conceiving and overseeing the work program, and that they were the ones who woke Oliver up and “apparently” drove him to the work site. The countersuit also includes “waivers, releases, indemnifications and acknowledgements” from both parents allegedly showing their knowledge and approval of the conditions detailed in their son’s suit from July. 

This is a developing story.