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Disturbing Complaint of Sexual Abuse

SANTA BARBARA (CN) - A girl claims in court that a doctor and his businessman friend sexually preyed upon her for two years, and that the businessman pleaded guilty to it and the doctor killed himself after he was charged.

Jane Doe and her parents sued Joseph Walker and the late Dr. Andrew Bourne, by and through his representatives, in Superior Court.

Doe says she was 14 when the men began abusing her. She is still under 18.

"Walker and Bourne were longtime companions, cohorts, and best friends," the complaint states. Bourne was a medical doctor, Walker was a businessman and ski instructor. Bourne and Walker held themselves out to be pillars in the community, when in fact, they were both sexual predators.

"Commencing in approximately the fall of 2009, and secretly continuing until approximately December 2011, Bourne and Walker engaged in a common plan between them to 'befriend' the parents of Jane Doe, a minor, for the actual purposes of deceit, and in order to gain trust and sexual access to their daughter, Jane Doe, in order to engage in illegal lewd acts and sexual relations upon the minor child. Bourne and Walker gained the trust of Jane Doe, and her parents, plaintiffs Father Doe 1 and Mother Doe 2. Bourne and Walker abused that trust and committed multiple lewd sexual acts upon Jane Doe, including sexual relations with her at a time when she was approximately 14 years of age, and they were in their mid to late 40s."

Doe adds: "Walker had sexual relations with Jane Doe in excess of 30 times, during which time Walker was approximately 47 years of age, and Jane Doe was a minor, age 14-15. ...

"Bourne had sexual relations with Jane Doe multiple times, during which Bourne was approximately 45 years of age, and Jane Doe was a minor, age 14-15.

"Walker and Bourne both knew of, and encouraged the other to have sex with Jane Doe during approximately the last two years.

"Walker and Bourne both told Jane Doe that they loved her, and both made false promises to her regarding her future with them, in order to persuade Jane Doe to continue having sex with them.

"Walker and Bourne both engaged in extensive electronic communications with each other and with Jane Doe regarding their sexual exploits of Jane Doe.

"On or about January 4, 2012, Walker and Bourne were both arrested by the Santa Barbara Police department and subsequently charged with multiple felonies regarding improper and lewd sexual conduct with a minor. Both Walker and Bourne admitted to having sexual relations with, and committing lewd acts upon Jane Doe."

Bail was set for each at $1 million, then reduced to $750,000 and "Walker and Bourne both made bail on or about January 13, 2012, and were released," according to the complaint.

It continues: "On or about January 24, 2012, Bourne, knowing that he was guilty of the felony crimes he was charged with, and additional felony crimes of which he knew that he was about to be charged with, committed suicide.

"On or about March 9, 2012, Walker pled guilty to multiple felony counts regarding improper lewd conduct and sex with a minor, Jane Doe."

The Does seek punitive damages for sexual battery, emotional distress, intentional misrepresentation, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and seduction of a minor.

They are represented by R. Chris Kroes, with McCarthy & Kroes.

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