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Defamation Lawsuit Leads to Tense Confrontation in Maine

By David Sharp, The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Maine - The lawyer for an orphanage founder accused of sexually abusing boys in Haiti has gotten into a heated confrontation with the man's chief accuser, shouting "Shut up!'' as the sides met for a deposition in a defamation lawsuit.

The tense exchange erupted Thursday in a building lobby where Paul Kendrick suggested the truth was being covered up and that orphanage founder Michael Geilenfeld left Haiti illegally. Geilenfeld's lawyer advised him not to answer any questions before being angered by Kendrick's persistence, telling Kendrick's lawyer to "get him under control!''

Geilenfeld, who has denied abusing children, founded the St. Joseph's Home for Boys in Port-Au-Prince in 1985. Criminal charges were dropped in Haiti before a new trial was ordered last month.

He and Hearts of Haiti are suing Kendrick for defamation.