This bothers me so much because I knew Sully. Everybody who went to the club knew Sully. He was a quiet, non-threatening soul, an upstanding guy. I can't even begin to say how many times he took us water skiing, camping, etc. He earned our trust because he never did anything to hurt anyone. I was just talking to some of my old buddies who went to the club with me, we all knew Sully, we all thought the world of Sully. This is all BS. More than that, Sully isn't around to quietly, and with dignity, tell his side of the story. This is my side of the story, from someone who knew him and respected him, immensely. He was always a first class, respectable human being. Anyone that thinks any less of him, never took the time to know him.

Sully, we knew ya, we cared about ya, we miss ya, and we know this is all a bunch of BS.

I read the comment from John (above) and can not agree more. For most of my youth from like 5th or 6th grade until high school I "lived" at the Boy's (sorry not called B/G then) Club. No way in the world Sully would do this, I don't believe it.

John, This also bothers me so much. The man was a great caring person. I was a member as a young child through my senior in H.S. and also worked under Sully running the Baseball program at the club. The man ran many programs for the youth of this town. I can remember many times where Sully would give kids money so they would not be left out when eveyone else was having Ice Cream. He was an outstanding guy who's life was the club. I am honored to have know this man and the many other people who worked at the club who guided the youth of Arlington in the right direction ? Derek you know I support you 100% but lately I have been a little disappointed with some of the leadership . I brought it to the attention to one of your "Upper Staff " member about some drug activity that was happening righ in plain sight of the club everyday as I picked up my daughter from pre school. I explained to the Staff member who it was dealing the drugs and asked if something could be done about this? Because if this individual doing this in the area of the club his next step would be selling to the kids. All I got was a shoulder shrug. My Next step was to inform a " High Ranking ' Police officer who happens to be on the board of directors of the club about this activity and what was happening . His response to me was " You have an Issue ? go file a report" like I was bothering him .Is that what someone who is repersenting the club suppose to say? If your a leader then lead,

I am sure it looks nice to have your name on a list but actions show more . If Sully were alive and I had told him what was happening I sure he would have taken care of it himself. He was a Stand up guy and may he rest in peace.

This is the Real Timothy Patrick Pacheco so if anyone wants to say something to me about posting this please be my guest

Suzy Nauman
8:32 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
In 1994, when I was a young mother, new to Arlington, a friend of mine who grew up in Arlington found out my kids were regulars at the Boys and Girls Club, and he warned me about "Sully". My friend told me that in the 1970s, Sully told him to get out of the pool and see him in his office. He told my friend, who was a little kid, that he had to check his testicles. So he did. My friend never forgot that, and was concerned enough about my kids' safety to tell me about it. I was alarmed, and called the B&G Club. I got a call back from the Director, to whom I relayed my friend's story. I told them to please watch Sully and that he should never be alone with kids. My friend wasn't ready to talk to them himself-the whole thing freaked him out.

The thing about pedophiles is that they are often upstanding, charismatic pillars of the community. They are clever, and know who to target, and who to leave alone.

My heart breaks for all affected by this.

How dare you make an accusation on hearsay! I knew this man, personally, I spent years and years with him as a child, and as an adult, as did my brother, sister, and many, many close friends. None of this allegations ever happened. Why is it only those who did NOT know this man, have something negative to say?

Unless you were there, keep your mouth shut. I was there with the man for thirty years, I knew him. These lies ARE lies.

Because I know and trust my friend. He had nothing to gain by telling me that all of those years ago, except that he wanted my kids protected. I'm not accusing anyone-just relaying my experience. I know that people who knew him and suspected nothing are blindsided. I do know a lot about child sexual abuse and those who perpetrate, and I'm sorry to say, this is classic. It's usually the people we least suspect.

P.S. My friend is not one of those who have come forward, by the way.

The comments of Suzy Nauman are beyond belief !!! She makes scandalous accusations without one bit of evidence !! your the problem lady and people like you.

All you gym class heroes crying "Sully didn't molest me" can start a club with all the people OJ Simpson didn't kill and Clarence Thomas didn't harass. Sully didn't molest me either, but during the six years I had to go to the B&GC, he always struck me as a jerk and a bully who favored some kids (like Timothy Patrick Pacheco) and was indifferent or hostile to others.

Furthermore I personally witnessed Sully drinking beer on the job on several occasions, engaging in rough horseplay with kids that was totally inappropriate for a middle-aged man even if it was not directly sexual, and I knew several kids who slept over for a night or a weekend at Sully's house, two of whom were offered beer by Sully.

All those right there are huge red flags that any competent organization charged with caring for children (i.e. not the Arlington Boys & Girls Club) would not have tolerated. So spare me the "Sully was 100% clean and above board". I was there too, and he was not.

The Boys and Girls Club itself has concluded that these charges are credible, even though they have a huge financial interest in disputing them. That means they concluded that in a lawsuit, the evidence would be so clear and so damning that there was no way they could prevail on the facts - only option would be to acknowledge wrongdoing and hope they don't get totally nailed on damanges.

Just because you were part of Sully's in-clique does not make him a saint.

That a boy " Fritz", you can can just type a few opinions and poof they are all guilty as charged. We are all lucky that there is something in the Constitution called " Due Process" so people like you don't rule the world.

So, we have people pretending to be Arlington natives and saying nice things about what a wonderful man old Sully was, only to be exposed by the very same people they're impersonating. And then we have other people trying to intimidate and discredit people who claim to have firsthand knowledge of good old Sully's criminal behavior. Let me ask you something. Do you think the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston decided to just sit back and let the s*** hit the fan when this broke? Or do you think they sent out an army of phantom posters to deal with the damage on the blogs?

I know the people at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston very well. I've been dealing with their officers, their board members, their four most senior board members, and their lawyers for sixteen long years. In my opinion, they are a ruthless and unconscionable bunch. And I can assure you, having seen it firsthand, that they are doing everything they can to prevent the spread of damage resulting from this disclosure.

Want to read more about what they're like? Go visit www.CharlestownBoysClub.org, which is not in any way associated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston.

Fritz, you may be right (RE quislings), but at least one of them was impersonating an Arlington native who himself (Mr. Pacheco) came forward to expose the impersonation. I still say, in my opinion, that the Boys and Girls Club people are a ruthless and unconscionable bunch. The common thread in these counter-posts is an attack on those coming forward to support the first two accusers or, even worse, to bring corroboration.

As I say, I know these people. They hired PIs to follow me and then sent me anonymous messages telling me where I had been so that I would know they were following me. They hacked into my computers and stole my passwords, and then they hacked into my websites and changed my contact forms so that people could not reach me. They hacked into my phones so new customers couldn’t reach me, which caused my business to fail. And when my landlord served eviction papers, they intercepted my discovery papers AT THE COURTHOUSE so that I missed the deadline for filing, which expedited my eviction. AND THEN THEY SENT ME ANONYMOUS messages explicitly telling me what they had done. BELIEVE ME, these people are ruthless. And these counter- posts are, in my opinion, orchestrated by the Boys and Girls Clubs people SPECIFICALLY to stop others who might think of coming forward. You have no idea what you are dealing with here, but I do. None of this is innocent or coincidental, believe me.

[Continued in next post]

As for how the criminal assaults went on for so long, it has always been difficult for me to understand why anyone allowed this type of thing to go on for so long, literally decades. In my instance, which involved a whole room full of boys and two adult monsters, I was left terrified. If someone had asked me about it, I would not have been able to speak. That made my recovery extremely difficult. Years later, when I tracked down the assistant director, after several attempts to get him to talk, he finally admitted to me that he remembered me and knew what I was talking about. To think that they left me to suffer for an entire lifetime, like road kill left at the side of the road, is totally unconscionable. They seem to have an extraordinary disregard for children.
And their lawyers, Ropes and Grey, are even more ruthless. The last time I had any contact with them, Peter Ebb accused me of extortion, threatened me with imprisonment, and then sent the Massachusetts State Police to my door in a failed attempt to have me arrested on charges that I believe they themselves fabricated.
Again, it is my opinion, that these people accept zero responsibility for the evil that was committed under their roof, have absolutely zero empathy for the suffering that resulted, and will stonewall to the point of utter self-destruction against any effort to persuade them otherwise. That’s my opinion. And they don’t scare me at all.

"Soured Kraut", I don't understand your meanspiritedness. What I did back in 1994 was to inform the Director of the club, and to say that Sully should never be alone with kids. My friend did not want to go to the police. Maybe I could have done more. I was terrified. Bullies like some of you commenting here only accomplish intimidating victims and whistleblowers into silence. This is a very painful situation for all involved, including those who knew and loved Sully. I understand that. My hope is that all who were hurt get the help and justice they need, are supported along the way by the community, and that children are protected.

I just finished reading this article, and the lines that jumped out at me were "The club said it has since taken a number of steps, including implementing a new whistleblower policy and expanding its background check policy. It has also worked with consultants to revise its policies and procedures regarding allegations of abuse and with an engineering firm to ensure the building is safe, according to the letter." I am shocked to think that they had not had these policies in place already. I did not know Sully, or the victims so I can't comment on either. What I do know is that when you have allegations they can destroy the reputations of all involved, both victims and alleged perpetrators. . Reading the above comments proves that in black and white. When commenters start attacking others in a vile way, it does make me wonder what exactly their motives are. Suzy it is clear you have chosen your words carefully in presenting the issue you faced in 1994. As a mother, I would have done exactly as you did. My hope is that the Club will learn from this experience as they go foreword. Putting policies in place is a start, but if they are not followed, the problem may arise again.

It's hard to believe that so many of the commenters are so naiive as to think that even the seemingly greatest and nicest people on earth don't have a darkside to them or other hidden agendas that is not evident. How would anyone necessarily know what turns on another person or what is going thru his mind? Reading some of these comments make me realize how how really clueless and stupid some people are.

To robbinsfarm, I clearly stated I did NOT know either Mr. Sullivan or any of the victims. I was merely commenting on a subject that affects my community. To have you attack me merely fuels my conviction that if you can't comment in an calm way then what is your agenda? While he may have meant so much to so many, there are
other who feel differently. This is not one person with an allegation, to quote the statement released by the club,"In the course of the investigation, we were deeply troubled to discover that similar allegations of abuse had been made concerning Mr. Sullivan.". This will play out in the court system where it belongs. Sometimes the bullies of yesterday remain the bullies of today.

Well, that's about as close to a declaration of an agenda as I think we're going to see.

Again attack a commenter but don't discuss an issue, Your agenda is clearly defined.

Folks, Be Aware! The apparent efforts to stifle comment on allegations that William "Sully" Sullivan molested kids at the Arlington Boys and Girls Club FOR DECADES has now spread to other public forums, specifically at the Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/arlington/2013/02/police_probe_allegations_of_se.html?comments=all#aComments

If you want to see justice in your town, you're going to have to fight for it because, as I've alleged, very powerful efforts are underway to prevent that from happening.

Please follow the link to the Boston Globe story and defend the accusers.

Please note that the website seems to work only in Firefox. And the thread seems heavily censored. I could tell you stories about the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston and the Boston Globe, but you'll have to go to my website to read them there. The documents will be posted next week.

Hopefully, I've fought off the Cyveillance posters, which is what I am alleging (and, yes, I have rock solid proof that Cyveillance was hired by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston to fight these posts in the past and DID write and publish extremely defamatory posts about accusers in the past - again, rock solid proof; just ask for it). I know that some of the posters are just knuckle-headed Arlington natives, but some of them are proven imposters as well. Just Google "Cyveillance," and see for yourself what business they're into.

Please help defend the accusers on the Boston Globe site. Thanks!

RE: victim coming forward, please contact me via my website, www.CharlestownBoysClub.org.

That's ok because dear old harmless and wonderful salt of the earth "Sully" is paying dearly for his sins now and will do so for eternity. It is a sentence that no judge could have issued..

JL-Thank you so much for your kind, supportive comments. Mostly, though, I commend you for having the courage to come forward in 2002-I know how terribly difficult that is. I hope you're doing okay. I'm so sorry for what happened to you as a little boy-no child should have to go through that, ever! Be well.

Just as I thought, you have to hear what you really wanted to hear, that Sully was a child molester. Sorry people-- the DA and police will find zero on that one !!! sorry people not true.

Are you guys for real? Sully was a quiet and caring soul??? He never abused anybody? I guess you never tipped over a sunfish in the middle of the pond...I attended the club from the time I was 5 until HS, I was let in at 5 because of my family connections, most didn't get in until they were seven.. My entire family attended the club, we personally knew Mr Falkner...lived down the street from him. My grandfather walked door to door getting donations to start the club, and i knew everybody there and still know a lot of past club members. That said my opinion is that if sully liked you he was easy on you, but if he didn't like you he sure would let you know, he used intimation, yelling, and fear to keep you in line, not uncommon in those days, he was a misshapen little troll of a man, who never had a woman in his life and if you look at him today he fits the profile of a pedifile to a "t" The comment of the woman who talked about the testicle inspection is right on, I cant believe that no one out here remembers the camping trips with naked swimming or any of the other activites that today would land sully and others from the old club in jail for a long time. And if you think sully was the only closeted homosexual in the club you would be mistaken.. They preyed on the young kids of arlington in the 70's and 80's and i'm sure there are a couple others still alive who are very worried that their activites during that time will be found out.

Just saw Ms. Nauman on Channel 5 where she gave a very credible interview about her actions in 1994. As is so often the case, the original crime is bad enough--but the cover-up is even worse. It is very concerning to me as a citizen of Arlington that the Club believed they could "hire a third party" to investigate and not involve the police, the DA and DCF back in 2011. Have we learned nothing from Penn State?

JL I feel for you. I think you are a very brave person for coming forward. If it comes out that others knew and did nothing that really compounds this tragedy. It is very disappointing for those of us who thought we knew him to hear this. But for you knowing he wasn't the nice great guy everyone thought he was must have been extremely difficult for you. How difficult it must have been for you knowing that some of the reactions defending him like the ones here would come your way. I reached out in disbelief to some of the kids I grew up with there. I was shocked to learn that there had been rumors of Sully molesting kids for years. Long before 2011. One thing is for sure... the news story will bring more victims forward.

Seriously? First she says she is just relaying what SOMEONE ""told" her, and then she goes on television to ACCUSE on HEARSAY.

And of course there is going to be more ALLEGED victims, a quick buck to be made by jumping on the bandwagon and accusing a DEAD MAN who CAN NEVER DEFEND HIMSELF.

Where is the OTHER side of the story? The poor guy CAN NEVER give it, since he is dust now. RIP Sully

Pedophiles have always counted on the "other side of the story"--in this case, the victims'--never getting out. That's how they continued to abuse for years, even decades. So in some cases, including this one, victims have to wait until the abuser is dead before they can acknowledge what happened to them. No amount of money will ever make up to the victims for what happened at a very formative stage of their lives. There are far easier ways to "make a quick buck" so I commend those who came forward for their bravery. With their help, we can make sure there are "No More Sullys" at institutions like a Boys and Girls Club where the most vulnerable gather and deserve our best protection.

Suzy,
YOU DID THE RIGHT THING!! (then and now)
You did what you thought was right and should be applauded!

The truth will always come out!! (which is why it's coming back up after all these years)

Those that Choose to live in DENIAL and swear that they've "known" someone for years means nothing!
We Don't really "KNOW" anyone!! and to think you do is Foolish!!

NOTICE MOST "SUPPORTERS" AREN'T EVEN USING THEIR REAL NAMES!!!?!? That's Brave.

I wouldn't wasn't your time replying to them or defending yourself when they can't even use their real name!

It's shameful that people haven't learned anything from the church abuse scandal.

Pedophiles are "great guys" when they're not Molesting someone behind closed doors!!!
Just because YOU weren't molested by him doesn't mean others weren't!!

Pedophiles PREY on Vulnerable Children NOT all Children!!!!

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!

The Bill of Rights, I believe has something called, " Freedom from Warrents issued without Probable Cause". You all find that and get back to me ?

Sully supporters moaning about how poor Sully can't defend himself because he is dead as if he would admit he was guilty if he were alive. It is true that these supporters havent learned a thing from the church sex abuse scandals where no one in a million years believed that some of these priests wrere guilty of the same thing and probably in their thick heads STILL don't believe it because they are dumb, naiive and unsophisticated. Why debate with these people--just ignore them and let them rant and rave to their heart's content. The facts of the case with sworn victims' testimonies speak for themselves.

Sworn testamonies can also be lies, pal.
And by the way, drop dead.
I would love to wish that Sully's ghost would haunt the hell out of these liars, but he had far more class than that.

How dare those that did not know the man have the gall to judge him.

I'll have no further part in this lynch mob atmosphere.

Drew, don't fall for this. It's obvious to everyone what is going on here. There's no need to respond to it. Those who care the most should worry what the DA and the police are going to say after their investigation. Because what they say could bring this steam roller to a grinding halt. Or maybe, at this point, it can't be stopped. Maybe the time has come for it all to finally come out. But thugs hired by the Boys and Girls Club of Boston, if that's what they are, certainly can't stop a steam roller.

Drew I agree with you there is nothing to be gained by responding to people who are incapable of carrying on an adult discussion. When people stoop to name calling and vile threats it reinforces their ignorance.

My brothers and I grew up at the Boy's Club from the 1960s through the 1970s. Brud Faulkner was a friend of the family. My Dad's contributions are honored by one of the brass plates in the Club's lobby. I knew Sully and all of the other counselors, interacting with them daily. During this time, boys would go to the club all day, weekly bus trips were the norm, overnights not unusual. My memories of the club are rich, whether they were good or bad. As children, we did things that would horrify adults today. Many of the guys I know around town, I know from the Boy's Club.

Around the same time, one of the first pedophile priests who made the news, Father O'Sullivan, was at St. Agnes. Everyone who was an altar boy knew Father O'Sullivan. As kids, we knew who the "weirdos" were, and I have to tell you, many of us were not afraid or at risk, quite the contrary. In a local, public high school, there were also predators and again, many knew of their predatory nature. Apparently, 5% or so of the male population are susceptible to these disgusting aberrations. Your child will experience this in his life.

What is done, is done. No changing the past. Retribution is one avenue. I prefer to teach my children not to be victims. I was never a victim. Healthy disrespect for authority, unafraid to call out "weirdo", courage to speak truth to power. These are lessons to teach your child. Ultimately, the parent has responsibility for their own child. Take charge.

I loved Sully also. He did nothing to me. But someone did and I never told on him. He was also loved just like Sully. Nobody would ever think it was true. He worked with kids and everyone loved him. That is why I never told. I hope Sully didn't do anything wrong. He was so wonderful to me. But people... take a look around you. This happens alot and it is usually the person that nobody thinks will ever do this. I would never believe this myself unless it comes out that it is actually true. Let the investigation run its course. Suzy is right. You all need to open your minds and just wait. Pray that he is innocent. The reason bad people get away with this stuff is because they have the trust of so many. Sit back and wait.

Finally !!! A well thought out comment by Kathy Fury, man ol man I was wondering when someone would just say something normal and exactly on point !! WELL DONE KATHY.

yes, one of her points being that people are not what they seem and that the guy that molested her was just as loved as Sully and that nobody would ever believe that he could do such a thing either. So now maybe the people who refuse to believe that Sully himself would be capable of such a thing may now believe at least that it was possible.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and make a public prediction. I predict that the Middlesex County District Attorney's office or the Arlington Police (or both) will make an announcement that will very effectively end this controversy and scandal for the Boys and Girls Club of Boston. When that happens, feel free to ask me how I knew this before it happened.

So all you card carrying " Move On " members and Elizabeth Warren bumper stickers people need to find another cause to yap about !! Nothin here with good ol Sully !!! zero, nothin, not true--- so be true to yours selfs and " move on " !!!

The Pro and Con people can go on forever and ever being nasty and insulting to each other on Patch with all their arguments and solid beliefs but the truth of the matter is, that despite any "official academic edict" nobody will ever really know the truth for a fact except God Almighty, and justice will be served or nor served according to whatever HE decides.

Acme Chemical company concluded after an internal investigation that allegations of dumping were false and would not be reported to the EPA.