New Haven, CT - Man Acquitted Of Molesting Girl Wins Right To Identify Parents

New Haven, CT - A man acquitted of molesting a girl at a Bridgeport synagogue has won the right to identify her parents in a lawsuit accusing them of making false abuse allegations against him, his attorney said.

Alfredo Vargas, a 69-year-old handyman, spent about five years in prison before he was acquitted in January in a second trial. When Vargas sued the parents, they sought to have the entire court record sealed to protect the girl. A Superior Court judge in Bridgeport agreed to replace the parents' names with pseudonyms.
The Connecticut Appellate Court turned down a bid by the parents to reconsider its decision in June rejecting the use of pseudonyms, Max Rosenberg, an attorney for Vargas, said.

Attorneys for Vargas say the parents have accused others of sexual abuse as well, but the court order sealing their names might prevent additional people from coming forward. "I'm very, very happy," Rosenberg said. "I think the court understands the situation here and realizes the threat to the general public that these people present."