Seven women are among ten plaintiffs who have recently filed federal lawsuits alleging they were victims of sexual abuse and trafficking by former Harvest Christian Fellowship pastor Paul Havsgaard during their time in now-defunct children’s homes in Romania linked to the California megachurch. The plaintiffs, represented by the law firm McAllister Olivarius, filed their lawsuits on December 22, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
The complaints name Havsgaard, Harvest Christian Fellowship, its founder Greg Laurie, and missions pastor Richard Schutte as defendants. These new lawsuits follow 12 earlier cases filed by male survivors who alleged similar abuse when they were teenagers. The lawsuit allegations indicate serious claims of negligence, failure to supervise, and intentional infliction of emotional distress while suggesting civil conspiracy under California law and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.
The plaintiffs accuse Havsgaard of committing sexual acts abroad, in violation of U.S. law. They also contend that Laurie and Schutte failed to prevent his behavior and allegedly concealed the abuse for two decades. Despite previous denials from Harvest Christian Fellowship regarding any cover-ups, the seriousness of the allegations has garnered significant media attention.
One claimant, Marian-Liviu Mihaila, recounts experiences of abuse from the ages of 15 to 18 while being supported as a young wrestling talent. He alleges that Havsgaard’s control over him hindered his opportunities for professional training and that he experienced further emotional trauma due to solitary confinement and self-harm during his time at the homes.
The lawsuits also implicate Cătălin Manescu, Havsgaard’s driver, who allegedly knew of the abuse and participated in it. Testimonies suggest that under Manescu’s influence, vulnerable children engaged in inappropriate online activities, indicating a culture of exploitation within the homes.
Harvest Christian Fellowship has publicly condemned the nature of these allegations but characterized the lawsuits as financial extortion, vowing a vigorous defense. While they claim to have reported Havsgaard’s behavior to law enforcement, it remains unclear if any active investigations are currently underway.
The plaintiffs assert that they were subjected to years of severe sexual exploitation, frequently left without protection as the homes ultimately closed in 2008, shortly after internal investigations confirmed the abuse. Allegations against Havsgaard underscore a troubling pattern of misconduct and a systemic failure to protect the minors under the church’s care.
Some of the plaintiffs shared harrowing accounts of their experiences, reflecting on the abuse they endured and its lasting impact on their lives. Tudosie, for instance, described being taken to California with Havsgaard, where she claims other boys were assaulted, generating deep emotional scars that haunt her to this day.
This situation is undoubtedly complex and devastating, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and the protection of vulnerable populations against systemic abuse. As more survivors come forward, there is hope that justice can be served and that preventative measures can be established to safeguard against such tragedies in the future.