NEW HAVEN, Connecticut – A man has pleaded not guilty to charges that accuse him of sexually abusing nine boys at a school for poor children he founded in Haiti.
Douglas Perlitz is charged with traveling outside of the United States with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with minors and with engaging in sexual conduct in foreign places with minors.
The 39-year-old entered not guilty pleas Thursday in New Haven.
Authorities accuse him of enticing school children into sex acts by promising food, shelter, cash, cell phones, electronics, shoes and clothing. They say he also withheld benefits and threatened to expel the boys if they refused to have sexual relations.
A hearing on whether he should be released on bond was continued until Oct. 19.
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