N.S. ordered to pay child abuse victim $625,000

A court has awarded $625,000 to a victim of convicted child abuser Cesar Lalo, the first of many expected payouts by the Nova Scotia government.

In a decision released Tuesday, Supreme Court Justice Frank Edwards ruled the province was indirectly liable for the abuse by Lalo, whowas convicted of sexually assaulting 29 boys from 1973 to 1989 while working as a probation officer and social worker.

One victim, who can be identified only as BMG, sued the province, claiming the government was partially responsible for the damage Lalo caused.

Edwardsawarded BMG, now 43, $125,000 in general damages and $500,000 for lost income.

But he ruled that the province wasn't directly responsible because it couldn't have foreseen Lalo's wrongdoing nor was there any evidence that the province put its interests ahead of those in its care.

Halifax lawyer Kevin MacDonald, who represented BMG in his civil action, said he's heard of similar cases, so this one could be just the beginning for the province.

"I expect that they'll be moving forward now that there's been a decision reached on this issue of vicarious liability," he said.

The Department of Community Services says about two dozen suits have been filed against the province over Lalo. About one-third are considered inactive because there has been no action taken on them in some time.

MacDonald said BMG has managed to get his life together and find a job.

"I think it's fair to say that his life has been on hold, to a certain extent," MacDonald said. "This was certainly something that he was carrying with him."

Lalo was declared a long-term offender in August 2004 and was given a nine-year prison sentence.