Albert Allard is one of hundreds of victims who have reported incidents of abuse going back to the 1960s at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester, NH, formerly the Youth Development Center (YDC).
But Allard does not want to be one of hundreds. Allard is one of the first to disclose his identity and the specifics of his incident(s) in his lawsuit against the New Hampshire YDC.
“I don’t want to hide,” says Allard. “I want justice, and I know others do, too. I’m after transparency and accountability, and I’ll fight as hard as I have to in order to make sure the whole world knows what happened and that it wasn’t right.”
On February 11, 2022, Attorney Anthony Carr of Shaheen & Gordon filed a complaint on behalf of Allard. This is believed to be the first individual YDC lawsuit filed in which the plaintiff has made his identity public instead of filing it under seal. The complaint is also the first to include previously unreleased details of the tragic abuse Allard experienced while he was a juvenile under the care of the State of New Hampshire. Multiple incidents of assault, as outlined in paragraph 19 of the filing, caused traumatic PTSD and brain damage.
Allard’s opportunity to claim justice is threatened by a proposed bill to create a $100 million fund to settle the claims of abuse. Those falling under this proposal would have only one year to file claims and would waive the right to seek compensation in court. Individual damages would also be capped at $1.5 million.
“This bill is not the right way for the state to bring justice to the minors who were abused under their care,” says Attorney Carr. “What is fair and right is to handle each case individually and by a jury of his or her peers. Our client, Albert, wants full accountability and justice based on the unique facts of his case—not to be lumped in as one of 450 victims.”
Attorney Anthony Carr is available to answer questions about this lawsuit.
If you or someone you know was abused during time spent at Sununu Youth Services Center, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
