6/2/11 – TG: Two former Alamo ministries members receive $66 million ruling
Texarkana Gazette
June 2, 2011
By: Lynn LaRowe
Two former Alamo ministries members receive $66 million ruling
A jury awarded two former members of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries $66 million Thursday in a civil suit against Tony Alamo.
The jury found that Alamo is guilty of battery, outrage and conspiracy in connection with the physical and psychological abuse suffered by Spencer Ondrisek, 20, and Seth Calagna, 21, as children raised in the ministry.
For past and future pain, suffering and mental anguish, the jury awarded each man $3 million. Punitive damages were awarded at $30 million for each man.
Ondrisek and Calagna are represented by Texarkana attorney David Carter.
Carter described Alamo as a “monster” and asked the jury to award punitive damages in an amount that would “make his eyes roll back in his head.”
Little Rock attorney John Wesley Hall, who represented Alamo, said he will appeal the verdict.
Alamo is currently serving a 175-year prison term for sex crimes in a federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind.