Briana Renee's Ex Matt Should Pay Up In Sexual Assault Of A Minor Case, Hospital Says
July 10 2018, Published 5:44 p.m. ET
Disgraced Little Women: LA star Matt Grundhoffer has been accused of sexually assaulting a minor patient while working as a counselor at Child Study and Treatment Center in 2009. In the center's answer to the complaint, they are putting the blame on Briana Renee's estranged husband, RadarOnline.com can exclusively reveal.
The alleged victim, whom RadarOnline.com has chosen not to name, sued the State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services, and Child Study and Treatment Center on June 4, 2018. Grundhoffer is not listed as a defendant in the case.
RadarOnline.com has exclusively obtained the Defendant's answer to the complaint. In the July 9, 2018 filing, the center admitted the Plaintiff was a patient there from September 2009 to November 2010.
"Defendant admits Rowe met Grundhoffer at a time when she was a minor child at CSTC," the filing read. But they are "without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth" of the sexual assault.
They deny that they "failed to use reasonable care to protect and keep the Plaintiff safe while involuntary held at CSTC."
The Defendants deny that the Plaintiff is entitled to relief from the Defendants. They claimed the injuries/damages were "caused by intentional conduct of Matthew Grundhoffer."
"The damages caused by said intentional conduct must be segregated from injuries/damages allegedly caused by Defendants alleged acts and/or omissions," the court papers read.
They are asking the complaint be dismissed with prejudice, which means the Defendant cannot sue again.
As RadarOnline.com reported, the Plaintiff claimed she came into contact with Grundhoffer, now 40, who worked as an employee and counselor.
"Defendants knew or should have known that Grundhoffer posed a danger to Plaintiff and others at CSTC," the court papers read. "Plaintiff met Grundhoffer at a time when she was a minor child and vulnerable."
She continued, "Grundhoffer manipulated that vulnerability by grooming Plaintiff during their counseling sessions for a romantic relationship and breached his ethical duties by engaging in a sexual relationship with Plaintiff while she was a patient, a minor child and held at CSTC."
The Plaintiff claimed she "developed an emotional dependency" on Grundhoffer based on his position of authority and trust. She claimed it was breached when he "pursued a personal and sexual relationship."
"Grundhoffer's sexual abuse of Plaintiff continued after her discharge from CSTC," the complaint claimed. "The improper relationship has caused significant confusion and severe emotional harm to Plaintiff, including humiliation, mental anguish, shame, depression and general deterioration of her emotional wellbeing."
She claimed the Defendants failed to protect and keep her safe. Their conduct was "reckless, grossly negligent, negligent and in bad faith."
RadarOnline.com previously reported that Grundhoffer was reprimanded for omitting vital information about his criminal history and lying to supervisors while working for the state of Washington's Department of Social and Health services in March 2013.
He was arrested in April 2012 for driving under the influence of alcohol. He neglected to inform his supervisors about the crime.
Three months after the DUI, he was arrested for domestic violence. RadarOnline.com reported he was accused of strangling his ex-girlfriend in front of her young son.
He reported the incident to his supervisors, explaining how he was found not guilty. However, he was placed in a state treatment plan where offenders are ordered to undergo counseling and perform community service. He allegedly did not mention the program to his supervisors.
Renee, 35, filed for divorce from Grundhoffer on November 30, 2017.
On December 8, she filed a request for a domestic violence restraining order against him, asking to protect her and their son Maverick.
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She claimed to have found graphic sexual messages between Grundhoffer and another woman on November 28.
"The conversations were recent and involved bestiality and the proposals of sex acts with minor children, including the proposal of involving sex acts with Matthew's minor child, age 12, from a previous relationship," she claimed. "I am fearful for him to be left along with our minor son."
She requested sole legal and physical custody of Maverick with no visitation awarded to him. The order was granted. Their next court hearing is on August 1, 2018.
Stay with RadarOnline.com for more updates on the story.
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