By STEVEN WARD
Advocate staff writer
Published: Jun 26, 2009 - Page: 5B
A man who pleaded guilty to molesting two girls seven years ago was ordered by a jury on Thursday to pay $3.8 million to the father of the girls.
The jury decided on the $3.8 million award, which includes $3 million in punitive damages, following a three-day trial in state District Judge Todd Hernandez's court.
Paul F. Losee admitted to molesting the girls when they were 12 and 9, starting in August 2002, according to the lawsuit filed by the girls' father.
Plaintiff attorney Joseph Long said Losee admitted to five instances of sexual molestation in depositions. But, Long said in an interview Losee molested the girls 30 to 40 times.
Losee's attorney, Randy Ligh, could not be reached for comment Thursday. A message was left at his office was not answered and no one answered his home phone after 4 p.m. Thursday.
The molestations occurred during sleepovers at Losee's home. The girls were friends with Losee's daughter, Long said.
According to the lawsuit, Losee was arrested in January 2003 by the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office and booked on seven felony counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile.
Losee was charged the next month by the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Office on two felony counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. In December 2003, Losee pleaded guilty to those charges before state District Judge Mike Erwin, according to the lawsuit.
Long said Losee was sentenced to five years probation.
Long said Thursday that his client does not expect to collect the money but the family wanted to send a strong message.
"The message to all child predators is we don't want you here. We will bankrupt you," Long said.