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June 21, 2005
Former 'Canoecopia' Host's Child Porn Trial Starts
MADISON, Wis. -- Opening statements are expected Tuesday in the trial of a once- prominent Madison business owner charged with sexually assaulting a child.
Gordy Sussman faces several counts, including possession of child pornography. Jury selection was Monday.
Prosecutors said the alleged abuse occurred in 1998 and 2002 and involved a boy Sussman met through a Middleton grade school mentoring program. The boy, now a teen, claims he had a lengthy sexual relationship with Sussman, according to a criminal complaint. The two allegedly often looked at porn at Sussman's business, the complaint says.
Sussman allegedly told the boy to mimic the things that he had been shown on the computer, often after they concluded they would go for a bike ride or a canoe ride or some other activity, according to the complaint. Police said they recovered hundreds of pieces of porn, including 108 images of naked young boys under the age of 18 depicted in a variety of sexual poses.
When the charges first came to light, Sussman's defense attorney said the accuser comes from a very troubled home and his credibility is in question.
An administrator for Middleton schools told News 3 Sussman's background and references were fully checked out before he joined their mentoring program, and he had a clean record and a good reputation.
Sussman had been, for years, one of Madison's premier canoe and kayak aficionados. He owned a popular paddle sport business, and was frequently interviewed for outdoor stories. Across the Midwest, he was known for hosting Madison's annual "Canoecopia" event.
He faces 137 years in prison.
Posted by Nealus at June 21, 2005 12:53 PM
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