In the 1990s, Ronald Wolfe ran a business called Dolphin Swim Club, which he used to teach swim lessons — and sexually abuse at least 20 children in York County.
Wolfe, now 62, of Dudley, Huntingdon County, pleaded guilty in 1999 to 20 counts of indecent assault and 20 counts of corruption of minors. Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Brillhart sentenced him to serve seven to 14 years in prison — plus 15 years’ probation.
“I do want to express, you know, my sorrow that any of these charges even took place,” Wolfe said at his sentencing hearing. “I truly taught each of those children to swim, and that was my prime objective. What happened accidentally or in the process of teaching swimming, I am very sorry that it came to this kind of finality, if you will, for lack of better terms.”
Now in their late 20s and early 30s, four survivors of his sexual abuse have filed lawsuits in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas against Wolfe and places where he taught swim lessons, including the Athletic Club of York, Country Meadows of Leader Heights and Olde York Valley Inn Fitness Center.
The lawsuits allege that those businesses knew, or should have known, that Wolfe was a convicted sex offender. He pleaded guilty in the 1980s to sexually abusing children in Maryland. The complaints include counts including negligence, gross negligence and recklessness.
READ:Former Pa. scoutmaster, citizen of the year focus of inquiry into decades of sex abuse
Nate Foote, an attorney who’s representing the survivors, said his clients are still struggling. Meanwhile, Wolfe, he believes, has largely been able to go on with his life.
Foote said the process of filing a lawsuit can be a cathartic experience for survivors. They can subpoena information, he said, and take depositions.
“You can get answers to questions that have lingered. You can confront your perpetrator in the courtroom,” said Foote, who noted that the survivors were young and didn’t testify in the criminal case. “It shifts the power dynamic back to them.”
CHECK OUT:Pa. grand jury report names hundreds of Catholic clergy accused of sexual abuse
No phone number could be found for Wolfe.
The Athletic Club of York had no comment.
In an email, Kelly Kuntz, executive director of communications for Country Meadows Retirement Communities, said neither it nor any of its affiliate organizations has ever employed Wolfe. She said the retirement community does not comment on pending litigation.
The former owners and operators of the Olde York Valley Inn Fitness Center could not be reached. It closed in 1998.
ALSO OF INTEREST:Child abuse in Pa. could be on the rise amid coronavirus closings of schools and daycares
Wolfe served as a Boy Scout leader and worked as a case manager for three weeks at York County Children and Youth Services. He used his role as a swimming instructor to gain access to children, according to the lawsuit.
Child sexual abuse is an inherent risk in these programs and services, according to the lawsuit. Wolfe should not have had close contact with children, the lawsuit states, and the businesses failed to adhere to standards for youth protection.
Generally speaking, Foote said, people have until they’re 30 to file a lawsuit arising out of sexual abuse in Pennsylvania. He said he hopes that other survivors haven’t lost their ability to take action.
“I think we may see more cases,” Foote said, “and I would encourage anybody who’s abused by him at one of the institutions that’s mentioned in our lawsuit to come forward — because they may have a claim.”
Contact Dylan Segelbaum at 717-771-2102.