PORTLAND (AP) — Officials say a Portland social worker remained on the job months after state regulators were first made aware of a complaint that he was having a sexual relationship with a client.
An attorney for 51-year-old Kelly O’Rourke tells the Portland Press Herald his client has been charged with a felony under Maine’s gross sexual assault law. The law prohibits a social worker from engaging in a sexual act with current clients.
O’Rourke’s July 1 arrest came six months after a complaint regarding the relationship was filed with the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure. In that time, O’Rourke continued his practice and his license remained active as of Monday.
The attorney, Rob Andrews, declined to discuss details of the complaint or arrest.
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less