The Sins of Brother Curtis: A Story of Betrayal, Conviction, and the Mormon Church

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Sins of Brother Curtis: A Story of Betrayal, Conviction, and the Mormon Church

by Lisa Davis (Goodreads Author)

3.53 of 5 stars 3.53 · rating details · 38 ratings · 17 reviews

This brilliantly reported, unforgettable true story reveals how one of the most monstrous sexual criminals in the history of the Mormon church preyed on his victims even as he was protected by the church elders who knew of his behavior.When Seattle attorney Tim Kosnoff agreed to listen to an eighteen-year-old man who claimed to have been molested by his Mormon Sunday schoo...more
This brilliantly reported, unforgettable true story reveals how one of the most monstrous sexual criminals in the history of the Mormon church preyed on his victims even as he was protected by the church elders who knew of his behavior.When Seattle attorney Tim Kosnoff agreed to listen to an eighteen-year-old man who claimed to have been molested by his Mormon Sunday school teacher, he had no idea he was embarking on a quest for justice on behalf of multiple victims or that the battle would consume years of his life and pit him against the vast, powerful, and unrepentant Mormon church itself. As Kosnoff began to investigate the case, he discovered that the Sunday school teacher, a mysterious figure named Frank Curtis, possessed a long and violent prison record before he was welcomed into the church, where he became a respected elder entrusted with the care of prepubescent Mormon boys. Through Lisa Davis’s deft storytelling, two astonishing narratives unfold. The first shows how Brother Curtis ingratiated himself into the lives of young boys from working-class Mormon families where money was tight, and was accepted by mothers and fathers who saw in him a kindly uncle or grandfather figure who enjoyed the blessing of the church. Having gained the families’ trust, Curtis became fiendishly helpful, offering to supervise trips or overnights out of the sight of parents, when he could manipulate his victims or ply them with alcohol. The other narrative is a real-life legal thriller. As Davis shows, Kosnoff and his partners tirelessly assembled the case against the church, sifting through records, tracking down victims, and convincing them to testify about Brother Curtis’s acts. What began as a case of one plaintiff turned into a complex web stretching across multiple states. Joined by what would become a team of attorneys and investigators, Kosnoff found himself up against one of the most insular institutions in the United States: the secretive and powerful Mormon church. The amazing legal case at the heart of The Sins of Brother Curtis shows how the church’s elite, well-funded team of attorneys claimed the church was protected under the Constitution from revealing that Curtis had molested a number of Mormon boys. Yet Kosnoff and his devoted legal team (which included a female investigator adept at getting parents of victims to talk to her) succeeded in forcing the church to reveal that it knew about Curtis and ultimately achieved a successful settlement. Emotionally powerful page by page, The Sins of Brother Curtis delivers a redemptive reading experience in which the truth, no matter how painful and hidden, is told at last and justice is hard won. This is a remarkable story, all true.
(less)

Hardcover, 368 pages

Published March 15th 2011 by Scribner (first published March 1st 2011)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 86)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Dec 18, 2011 Suzanne rated it 3 of 5 stars

A really interesting story on many levels-- it is mostly the tale of trying to legally force the Mormon church to take responsibility for continuing to put a known pedophile in leadership positions over young boys. Frank Curtis abused scores of boys for many years, he would "repent" essentially absolving him of his sin and be given another "calling from god" to lead the boy scouts or a primary group of boys. He was seen as a kindly old grandfatherly type and people would take him into their home...more

like · see review

Aug 24, 2011 Wanda rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was a pretty decent book written by a journalist in journalistic style. The style was very reminiscent of Ann Rule. It is concerned with the appalling sexual abuse of scores of children by Brother Frank Curtis, a former convict who had spent most of his youth and adult life incarcerated. Very early on in his criminal career, a psychologist hired by the courts in the 30s picked up his propensity for young boys and predicted that he would become a serial predator. And he did. What was tragic...more

like · see review

Apr 23, 2011 Paul Pessolano rated it 3 of 5 stars

"The Sins of Brother Curtis" is better defined by its sub-title, "A Story of Betrayal, Conviction, and the Mormon Church."

Frank Curtis grew up in Chicago and was supposedly a minor player in Al Capone's mob. He was always telling people that he had done things that he was ashamed of, but never elaborated as to what those things were.

In his later life, Frank became attached to the Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). He became involved with young men while serving as a...more "The Sins of Brother Curtis" is better defined by its sub-title, "A Story of Betrayal, Conviction, and the Mormon Church."

Frank Curtis grew up in Chicago and was supposedly a minor player in Al Capone's mob. He was always telling people that he had done things that he was ashamed of, but never elaborated as to what those things were.

In his later life, Frank became attached to the Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). He became involved with young men while serving as a Sunday School Teacher and Boy Scout leader. Frank used his influence to prey upon young Mormon boys that came from low-income families and homes where a father was missing and the mother was struggling to make ends meet.

The first victims took place in 1976 and it wasn't until 1999 that a young man came forward with his story of sexual abuse. A lawyer, Timothy Kosnoff, agreed to take the case knowing that he would be up against a formidable opponent in the Mormon Church.

Kosnoff quickly found out that this one case of sexual abuse by Frank Curtis was just the tip of the iceberg. Not only were there more young men involved but he found that the Mormon Church was fully aware of Frank being a pedophile.

The Church did not inform any of its members of this situation and unbelievably allowed Frank to continue working with young people. Making matters worse, Frank was excommunicated but was found to be repentant and was rebaptized into the Mormon Church. This happened not only once but several times.

Kosnoff had anothe problem in that Frank Curtis was now dead and he had to find a way to make the Mormon Church liable for Frank's actions.

The case dragged on for over three years, with the high powered and high paid Mormon lawyers trying to wear down the opposition.

A good story that is not only true but is very much a part of today's world. The story does tend to get a little long in places but one must remember that this took place over a three year period with lawyers using every possible trick to delay the proceedings.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Aug 27, 2011 Karin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

A riveting book about how a group of lawyers went up against the Mormon church to make the church accountable for sexual molestations that happened as a result of the church knowingly keeping pedophiles in its ranks without informing the rest of the local congregation and allowing the known pedophile to keep having positions where he is in contact with young children.

Frank Curtis was an elderly gentleman when he joined the church. However unlike the grandfatherly image he portrayed, he was actua...more A riveting book about how a group of lawyers went up against the Mormon church to make the church accountable for sexual molestations that happened as a result of the church knowingly keeping pedophiles in its ranks without informing the rest of the local congregation and allowing the known pedophile to keep having positions where he is in contact with young children.

Frank Curtis was an elderly gentleman when he joined the church. However unlike the grandfatherly image he portrayed, he was actually a former criminal who had spent years in prison. He became an ‘elder’ in the church (a position attained by most men after a worthiness interview by the stake president -the leader of a group of local congregations). Then he got positions of teaching the young boys even after local leaders know that he molested boys. After he had finally been excommunicated for sexual abuse, he repented, had some counselling and was rebaptized into the church. He then was again given jobs with the young boys in the congregations giving him the ability to continue his molestations.

Tim Kosnoff and his team of lawyers battle the church’s strategy to drag the case out: objecting to each question during depositions, barraging the lawyers with reams of paperwork, objecting to handing over church papers, telling Mormon witnesses to refuse to answer questions during the depositions stating they are against the first Amendment. But instead of backing down, Kosnoff kept working at the case and kept finding more information and witnesses and victims left in Curtis’s wake.

Some quotes I found interesting:

“From the moment of baptism or rebaptism, according to LDS belief, the sins of the past are literally washed away and can no longer be acknowledged. The baptized Mormon starts anew with a ‘clean slate’. …It would be a violation of the Mormon faith to consider his [Frank’s] history of molesting children prior to rebaptism in any decision to call him to a position within the church…

“Its lawyers even seemed to be arguing that Jeremiah [ the plaintiff, who had been molested by Curtis when he was a young boy] had somehow accepted the risk of encountering a pedophile in following the Mormon religion…., [The church’s] lawyers wrote: “Plaintiff, having voluntarily agreed to abide by, and be governed by, church law cannot now challenge the procedure for, and effect of a fellow member’s rebaptism into the church.” (pp 150-1)

“There was no reason anyone in the ward would have known why Frank Curtis had been excommunicated, or that he had been accused of child sexual abuse, unless they’d been told by someone in the church hierarchy. Brother Curtis was assumed to be the same as the people who trusted him. Mormon culture tends to be insulated…., and it was even more so in Grand Rapids…. Ward members turned to each other for help and advice. They acted in service to each other… for the common good of their religious community. They shared a specific belief system and a lifestyle designed to exclude the sins of the outside world. And they accepted on faith that their brothers and sisters had been through the same worthiness tests that they had, believed the same things, had the same standards. Ward members believed that their leaders had been inspired by God when they called people into positions of trust. All of this had made them feel safe….

“…years after, Jack…offered a troubling observation: The very things that made their religion a strong spiritual community may well have made them vulnerable to the likes of this serial pedophile. “Frank Curtis in the Mormon church was like the perfect storm.” (p. 247)

(less)

like · see review

Dec 20, 2011 Cindi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, religion

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book was informative to me. I've never read a lot about how attorneys work and how the courts work. I also learned more about how depositions work and about settlements out of court and what they mean for the plaintiff and the defendant. I learned about how deep pockets can sway justice. It was a shocking view of both religion and the court system and laws that govern them.

Church doctrines and positions were presented fairly. There were only a few minor flaws there.

This book shows the scand...more This book was informative to me. I've never read a lot about how attorneys work and how the courts work. I also learned more about how depositions work and about settlements out of court and what they mean for the plaintiff and the defendant. I learned about how deep pockets can sway justice. It was a shocking view of both religion and the court system and laws that govern them.

Church doctrines and positions were presented fairly. There were only a few minor flaws there.

This book shows the scandalous side of the LDS church clearly. As quoted elsewhere, "They are more worried about the brand than they are about the children." Absolutely. I've seen it first hand. I've also heard other first hand stories of the same. Sexual assault on children is more common than people think, despite a parent's best efforts to educate their children and talk openly about it, it happens. Understanding of what pedophiles do and how they operate is misunderstood (i.e. most people wouldn't pick the pedophile out of a line of people--especially when they know the person). That pedophiles do not reform is the rule, not the exception. Why must religion try to trump science on this one?

The Catholic church, I've learned, handled the situation much more compassionately for the victims. They had a Bishop there to apologize for the wrongdoing. (Just FYI: Bishop in the Catholic church is a much higher office than bishop in the LDS church. ) The LDS church never made apologies or tried to take care of the victims. So, we have a couple of dozen boys with low socio-economic status, emotionally stopped at the age of 8, 9, 10, 11 and they have almost no advocates. Set into a life of crime, and in mental anguish with no help in sight, many of them spend most of their time locked up. Even if they receive a settlement, they don't usually know what to do with it, how to make their lives better, and end up right where they were before. They are betrayed and abandoned by the organization, er...corporation that was an authority figure in their lives.

This book was carefully researched. It was similar to another recent book I reviewed (Columbine) in that the author spent about ten years researching and interviewing (attorneys, victims).

I was a little confused about how the attorneys for the church fought to not have to produce membership records for Frank Curtis. They said it would take millions of dollars and lots of time to find them. These records have been in digital form for many years. They had no problem locating my records, for instance. Records are regularly shuffled when members move from one ward to another. Records are complete. If there has been church discipline, they are marked to let the next bishop know why. These red flags are a real thing. I knew about it before reading this book because I had been privy to such notations while in a "leadership" position. The records are also never removed completely from the system. In the case of an excommunication, the person excommunicated is no longer a member, but those records stay in the system.

Another interesting point was when Kosnoff (representing Scott, the plaintiff in the case) basically told the attorneys for the LDS church to "stop it." Meaning, stop trying to block justice with the mounds and mounds of objections and paperwork they created. The book implied that those attorneys realized they were doing it, but were powerless to stop because it was their job, as dictated down to them by the church itself. This falls into the category, save the brand name, not the children.

I also think it should be noted that the second time Frank Curtis was excommunicated, it was for homosexual behavior, rather than for molesting children. The only sexual behavior anyone reported, from Frank himself, from bishops and from parents of children, was the sexual molestation of children. Calling this behavior "homosexual" further marginalizes the victims.

I recommend it, hard as it was to read and try to digest. I think this is a subject we could all use more awareness of. Our society needs to do a better job to protect children in the first place and rehabilitate those who are wronged. It needs to listen less to power players--those with endless pockets of cash (i.e. Occupy Wallstreet, anyone?)--and more to children, and others without the resources to make their story be heard.

(less)

like · see review

Dec 05, 2011 Lezlee Hays rated it 4 of 5 stars

As a practicing active member of the Mormon church I read this with a fair amount of trepidation. I was concerned that Davis may not have done a fair job representing the church's position in relation to this story, but I was still very interested in reading this because the law suit was pretty significant in terms of establishing a precendence for liability in these types of situations. Althought there were several nuances of church doctrine I felt Davis got wrong, or at least slightly mis-repr...more As a practicing active member of the Mormon church I read this with a fair amount of trepidation. I was concerned that Davis may not have done a fair job representing the church's position in relation to this story, but I was still very interested in reading this because the law suit was pretty significant in terms of establishing a precendence for liability in these types of situations. Althought there were several nuances of church doctrine I felt Davis got wrong, or at least slightly mis-represented or misunderstood, I did feel over all it was a fairly written treatment of the events. For those who suffered abuse from Franklyn Curtis I felt she did a wonderful job of explaining how devastating this type of abuse can be - and I also felt it was fair, and enlightening to see how easily a predator like Curtis can slip through the cracks of the LDS church. In fact, I spent a little bit of time soul searching about how often this could occur given what I know first hand about church protocol and my own experiences - particularly with boy scout leaders I've been less than thrilled with. I do think the church has had to change some of the ways they handle these things, especially in light of these types of lawsuits. And I don't really think that's a bad thing. Evil people will always find ways to exploit - and that is particularly true within a religious community which tends be trusting of it's own members without much question. At the same time - I also feel like although the frustration with the church is well founded by those vicitimized - I also understand where the church is coming from on these types of law suits too. Because it is a lay clergy, it is extraordinarily difficult to expect the church to bear the responsibility for any and all abuse which might occur between individual members. Bishops are human - they are fallable, and they make mistakes. Things do slip between the cracks. It's really unfortunate when that happens, but I'm not sure that it can always be characterized as the church's responsibility in these types of cases. The oversight by the church at large within the individual units of wards and stakes is minimal. This makes the situation very complex in terms of liability and ability to oversee to a degree which could always prevent these things from happening. Current guidelines of the church in terms of who can interact with children and under what circumstances seem to be an attempt to solve this problem. But I'm still seeing individuals who are used to the way things used to be done disgregard these guidelines at times. Making things further complicated.

Even still - in the case of Franklyn Curtis it seems fair to me that the church be held responsible for what happened. This never should have gone on from ward to ward and Bishop to Bishop always giving this man the benefit of the doubt. Children should be protected above anyone else whenever possible. This man should have been both reported to the police, and should have in no way ever had this kind of exposure to children.

Besides everything else I felt Davis' writing was above standard for this type of book. (less)

like · see review

Apr 26, 2011 Kristin rated it 4 of 5 stars

I could not put this book down! I haven't read many books centering on legal cases or on child molestation for that matter, but this one was really interesting (albeit hard to read about the horrific crimes of Frank Curtis). Not only was Brother Curtis a terrible abuser of children, but the sins of his brethren for not acting responsibly towards his actions is unbelievable. Why anyone would protect their religion over the safety of their children and their ward's children is beyond me. This is a...more

like · see review

Mar 27, 2011 Sarah Phoenix rated it 3 of 5 stars

Another in the long line of expose of organized religion and its abuse of children. This book shows how clergy covered up the systematic abuse of young men by a man who was constantly placed in a position to do so. A little over full of legal language and maneuvering which made it drag in places. I am making a commitment to myself to never read another book like this again. I just can't stand any more of this and I am afraid that it will push me over the edge. We all know this happens and we all...more

like · see review

May 24, 2011 Molly rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

The whole time I was reading it, I was wishing it was written by Erik Larson. Lisa Davis is primarily journalist and staff writer for Village Voice Media. I'm not at all saying that she isn't a good writer, I just don't think her voice is strong enough to take on the Mormon church and their hiding of phedofiles. Sometimes the book is just a hurling of cold hard facts and then all of a sudden Davis throws in paragraphs where she tells us how people are feeling. That change in tone is jarring and...more

like · see review

Mar 27, 2011 Julie Smith (Knitting and Sundries) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: galley-grab, reviewed

First published on my blog: http://www.knittingandsundries.com/20...

This title delves into the story behind Tim Kosnoff, a Seattle, WA, attorney who initiates a years-long lawsuit against the Mormon Church after being approached by a young man named Jeremiah Scott.

When Jeremiah was young, he had been repeatedly molested by a Mormon Church elder. The church "bishop" had been notified, but nothing was done. In uncovering the truth behind Jeremiah's molestation by Brother Frank Curtis, Kosnoff and...more First published on my blog: http://www.knittingandsundries.com/20...

This title delves into the story behind Tim Kosnoff, a Seattle, WA, attorney who initiates a years-long lawsuit against the Mormon Church after being approached by a young man named Jeremiah Scott.

When Jeremiah was young, he had been repeatedly molested by a Mormon Church elder. The church "bishop" had been notified, but nothing was done. In uncovering the truth behind Jeremiah's molestation by Brother Frank Curtis, Kosnoff and his team also uncover a decades-long (1977-1991) string of molestations by Frank, in three different Mormon wards, as well as the now grown-up 20 other victims, one of them having spent time in a juvenile facility, himself accused of molestation. They also uncover what appears to be a pattern of cover-ups and misdirection on the part of the Mormon leadership that allowed this type of molestation to occur with other youth leaders.

This is a true story, with some names changed. Far more than a dispassionate recounting of the facts, many of the places and the lives of the youngsters were very descriptive.

There are many re-tellings of the legal scenes, strategies, and depositions, as well as a rather in-depth look at the inner workings of the Mormon church. Even if you're not into legal details, these are written in an informative fashion that draws the reader inside the courtroom. There were jaw-dropping instances of church leadership dropping the ball, including putting the abused on probation because he had "chosen" to return to the situation.

For me, the book was just too long and ended up dragging. Although meticulously researched, many of the legal maneuvers could have been pared down. I do get that the author is attempting to give the reader a sense of the frustration caused by the lengthy delays of the attorneys representing the deep-pocketed Mormon church, but I felt that it took years for me to read this one. Not knowing much about the Mormon religion before I read this, I did come away with a better understanding of it's hierarchy and structure, as well a moral indignation at the church "leaders" who allowed this sort of abuse to continue with mainly impoverished children.

QUOTES (from a galley; may be different in final version):

In some of the cases, church leaders had advised wives and children to be more understanding and help their abuser to heal. In other instances, they'd counseled pedophiles and, upon gaining a promise to change behavior, had placed the abusers back into positions in which they had easy access to children - Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, Little League coach, even spiritual leader.

Faced with similar incidents of sexual abuse involving the same child, the same people had reported only the non-Mormon abuser to the police.

"The church was the dark side," Kosnoff would say years later, reflecting on the case. "They were feeding my need to be a dark knight."

"How many times do you think he abused or improperly touched you?" Brooksby continued. "Can you give me an estimate?"
"Hundreds"(less)

like · see review

Mar 30, 2013 Anne Levitsky rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book, the story of a child molester that was protected by the Mormon church, was very slow and bogged down with extensive legal details. I had to skim over most of it just to get through it. I wanted to hear a narrative of the victims experiences not what lawyers came and went and this motion and that motion that was filed. Really poor editing and a missed opportunity to shine a light on this great injustice. I gave it two stars because at least the idea behind the book was good and there w...more

like · see review

Dec 10, 2012 Channin Murphy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I found the book to be informative and well written. It definitely shines a bright light on the hidden world of sexual abuse within the LDS. Sickening that these people are still getting away with this.

like · see review

Aug 03, 2011 Rose rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was glad to finish this book. I found it interesting, but got bogged down in it a bit.

like · see review

Aug 20, 2011 Elyssa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: truecrime, nonfiction

Great legal drama, especially the first amendment obstacles the lawyers faced while building a case against the Mormon Church.

like · see review

Apr 28, 2011 Tom Mueller rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, true-crime

An expose on the length the Mormon Church - and other religious institutions - go to in their attempt to cover up child abuse.
Very thoroughly researched, over a ten year period.

like · see review

Mar 29, 2011 Stacy Johnson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Excellent book...very interesting and thought provoking.

like · see review

Nov 02, 2012 Brian rated it 3 of 5 stars

Excellent take on the problems with the religious structures response to predatory sexual abuse. It is not a problem just with the Catholic faith

like · see review

May 17, 2013 Yolanda is currently reading it

Apr 17, 2013 Donna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mar 21, 2013 Lorelei marked it as to-read

Feb 24, 2013 Meg marked it as to-read

Feb 15, 2013 Pacey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Jan 25, 2013 Michelle marked it as to-read

Jan 19, 2013 Holly Aldridge marked it as to-read

Jan 15, 2013 Amanda Patterson marked it as to-read

Oct 16, 2012 Randi marked it as to-read

Oct 15, 2012 Cody marked it as to-read

Shelves: religion

Aug 27, 2012 Susan marked it as to-read

Aug 23, 2012 #owls added it

Aug 04, 2012 Nora rated it 3 of 5 stars

« previous 1 2 3 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (2)

Genres

Non Fiction

5 users

Religion

2 users

Lds > Mormonism

2 users

See top shelves...

About Lisa Davis

Lisa Davis is a former staff writer for Village Voice Media in San Francisco (SF Weekly) and Phoenix (New Times). Her work has won numerous national awards, including the George S. Polk Award. She lives in Northern California and teaches journalism at Santa Clara University.

More about Lisa Davis...

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Sins of Broth...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: The Sins of Brother Curtis: A Story of Betrayal, Conviction, and the Mormon Church
avg rating	preview: The Sins of Brother Curtis: A Story of Betrayal, Conviction, and the Mormon Church Goodreads rating: 3.53 (38 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8710631-the-sins-of-brother-curtis?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347463039l/8710631.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8710631-the-sins-of-brother-curtis?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Sins of Brother Curtis: A Story of Betrayal, Conviction, and the Mormon Church by Lisa Davis[/url]

The Sins of Brother Curtis: A Story of Betrayal, Conviction, and the Mormon Church

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (2)

Genres

About Lisa Davis

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Sins of Broth...

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (2)