New allegations arise against Wheaton pastor

As Rev. Andre Allen's congregation gathers today to consider his dismissal, another woman has emerged with allegations he improperly touched her.

The 23-year pastor of Second Baptist Church in Wheaton could be ousted during a special meeting at 5 p.m. today if a majority of his estimated 275-member congregation votes for his dismissal.

The 54-year-old Wheaton man's leadership of DuPage County's oldest predominantly black church came into question after church leaders learned last month of his Nov. 2 arrest in a Schaumburg health club on battery and disorderly conduct charges. It's his second such arrest in about 10 years.

After learning about the pastor's recent troubles, a 44-year-old Carol Stream woman said she felt compelled to come forward with allegations Allen inappropriately touched her in 2001 at his church office. She filed a police report Friday, which was confirmed by Wheaton police.

The married mother of three said the two met by chance while both were waiting in line at a Downers Grove restaurant. Allen told her he was a motivational speaker, she said. The woman said she initiated a business relationship with him in hope of recruiting him for her company. She said they met six to 10 times in his church office during a six-month period. The final time they met, she said he repeatedly grabbed her against her objection under the guise it was to teach her self defense.

The woman said she never reported the incident to the police, but did tell church leaders and was assured he would be disciplined internally.

"I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt," she said Friday, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "I just feel so stupid, and I'm sad I didn't push it more back then because these other women would never have had to have gone through this. At the time, I felt I did the decent thing by making the church aware."

Wheaton police Commander Joseph Eversole confirmed detectives took her report Friday and that it will be turned over to the state's attorneys office for review. But DuPage State's Attorney Joseph Birkett said the statute of limitations for a 2001 allegation expired so a prosecution cannot legally be pursued.

In the most recent incident, Allen was arrested Nov. 2 after two women said he groped them at Lifetime Fitness at 900 E. Higgins Road in Schaumburg after presenting himself as a self-defense instructor. Another woman made a similar complaint to police, but she declined to pursue charges.

Allen pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct Jan. 18 in Cook County for misrepresenting himself as an employee. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors dropped the battery charge. Allen was placed on one-year court supervision. He also agreed to perform 80 hours of community service.

He could not be reached for comment Friday. In a statement a day earlier, the former collegiate wrestler and coach denied any inappropriate physical contact, and said he simply was trying to garner interest in a self-defense class he hoped to instruct at the gym one day.

"I accepted the plea agreement simply to bring closure to the matter and to avoid embarrassment to my family, to my congregation and to me," he said. "It is my prayer that other feels as I do, that justice has been served, and that closure has been achieved."

Leaders of the 101-year-old church said Allen failed to disclose the arrest. Two weeks ago, in a 16-3 vote, they asked Allen to resign but he refused. The special meeting was called because church bylaws state the full congregation must vote by secret allot for a pastor to be terminated.

"We just felt the church needed to be aware what was going on," said Deacon Frank Jarrett, who described the emotional ordeal for the historic church. "I don't know if it's shock, frustration or anger that people are feeling. Initially, I was extremely hurt and lost some sleep but it is what it is. I don't wish him any ill will. I just hope it'll be over quickly."

More than 10 years ago, Allen was arrested on similar misdemeanor charges after two women accused him of touching them in a provoking or insulting manner as they worked out at a Holiday Inn in Lisle. Allen was placed on court supervision after being found guilty of one of the misdemeanors. He later had it expunged from his criminal record, but three law enforcement officials involved in the case confirmed the details. A woman at Wheaton Sports Center also complained about two years ago about Allen, but she declined to pursue charges, police said.