Palatine YMCA sued over accused instructor

A civil lawsuit has been filed against the Buehler YMCA in Palatine for continuing to employ a swim instructor following allegations of inappropriate contact with a young girl at the pool.

The suit was filed Monday on behalf of an unnamed man and his 4-year-old daughter, one of five girls ages 4 to 9 police say were victimized.

Kevin Skowron, 22, of Inverness, is due in a Rolling Meadows courtroom this morning for his criminal case. He faces life in prison if convicted of charges of predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

The complaint states Skowron molested and assaulted the 4-year-old plaintiff during a swim class on Nov. 22, 2008 - more than a month after he was accused of molesting another 7-year-old girl.

Attorney Joseph Klest is seeking damages of at least $100,000 for the girl's injuries.

"It's unconscionable and in my view reckless that an allegation was made against this guy and they didn't remove him from all contact with children," he said. "It floors me."

The suit also states that the YMCA failed to supervise Skowron after the initial allegation and warn the plaintiff.

In late November, Skowron was formally charged with sexually abusing two girls. Buehler YMCA Executive Director Laura Brown said then that authorities were immediately informed when allegations first surfaced on Oct. 16. Skowron was suspended but reinstated a week later when the accuser couldn't identify her assailant in an independent YMCA investigation.

Palatine police had said they were not alerted to the allegations against Skowron until later in October. Police also said they never advised the YMCA to retain Skowron during their investigation. He was ultimately fired after the criminal charges were filed.

Last month, prosecutors announced new charges after three new victims made allegations. Skowron, who was free after posting 10 percent of his $350,000 bond, has been back in jail since a judge raised his bond to $750,000.

Lee Concha, a spokeswoman for YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, which is also listed as a defendant, said the organization hasn't been served papers and therefore could not comment. The Buehler YMCA did not return phone calls.