More charges in Florida sex abuse case

Charges are mounting against a Florida youth mentor, as prosecutors say his alleged sex abuse victims are coming forward after his arrest. Jeffery London, 48, a Boys & Girls Club counselor, church leader and later dean of a charter school in the Fort Lauderdale area, was arrested in January on counts of sexual battery. Since then, Broward County prosecutors said Monday, nine boys who once lived with him in an unlicensed foster home called "London's Hotel" have claimed they were raped or forced to perform sex acts for money or privileges. "This man turned these boys into his own personal sex slaves for over 10 years. It's a heart-breaking story," prosecutor Sheila Alu said. The stories of abuse were detailed at an April 12 bond hearing before Broward County Circuit Judge Michael Usan. Police reports state London began abusing young boys, the youngest known victim being 7 at the time, as far back as 1995. London met many of his alleged victims, typically from broken homes or with a parent who could not afford to care for them, through his mentorship in the Bible Church of God in Fort Lauderdale, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Monday. Lourdes Gonzales, London's attorney, told the newspaper her client is being falsely accused in an attempt to gain money from New Vision Children's Foundation, which has been funding London's projects, among others. The foundation is headed by Elizabeth Huizenga Buntrock, described by the newspaper as one of Broward's wealthiest women. "This is all about suing somebody for money," said Gonzalez. "These kids are all saying so much the same thing. It's like canned text." London was being held without bond, and faces a hearing on Aug. 3.