"Getty Images In a new lawsuit, a Bronx man alleges he was sexually abused by a counselor at Odyssey House in East Harlem, where the plaintiff was receiving treatment for mental health and addiction challenges. The lawsuit was filed Feb. 1 in the Bronx Supreme Court on behalf of plaintiff Calvin Harris, who lives in the Bronx. The alleged abuse occurred recently, on Dec. 27, 2025, after Harris entered into treatment on Dec. 12, according to court documents."
"Isobelle Surface, Odyssey House director of communications, said in an email to the Bronx Times that the organization can provide no comment on ongoing litigation and that it maintains strict policies against misconduct and cooperates fully with authorities if notified. Harris's attorney, Richard A. Sulzman, told the Bronx Times that he needed to seek his client's permission before speaking with the press."
"The complaint alleges that Odyssey House employee James Sampson coerced Harris into sexual acts by threatening to have him removed from the treatment center if he didn't comply. The lawsuit is against both Sampson and the nonprofit, alleging that the organization knew or should have known about [Sampson's] propensity for misconduct and failed to properly screen and monitor employees who work with vulnerable people."
Calvin Harris filed a Feb. 1 lawsuit in Bronx Supreme Court alleging sexual abuse by Odyssey House counselor James Sampson. Harris entered treatment Dec. 12 and alleges the abuse occurred Dec. 27, 2025. The complaint says Sampson coerced Harris into sexual acts by threatening removal from the treatment center for noncompliance. The suit names Sampson and Odyssey House, alleging failures in screening and monitoring staff and claiming Harris suffered severe emotional distress. The complaint did not state a damages amount. Odyssey House said it cannot comment on ongoing litigation, maintains misconduct policies, and cooperates with authorities. The nonprofit has received substantial public and private funding.
Read at www.bxtimes.com
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