Child abuser Cole’s trust fund to support counseling programs

PORTLAND – The money in a trust fund created by notorious child abuser Warren Cole of Gray will be disbursed this summer to tax-exempt organizations that provide services to victims of child abuse and neglect, a prosecutor said.

As part of his 1992 plea agreement, Cole was sentenced to 61/2 years in prison and was required to set up the trust fund with $100,000 that would be used to provide counseling for his victims. Under terms of the trust, any money not spent would be given to organizations after a decade had passed.

Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson announced plans to distribute the funds, which now total about $105,000 because of accrued interest.

Cole, known for decades as the owner of a popular family restaurant, died last year at age 84. While he had pleaded guilty to sexual assault against one victim, he admitted to investigators that he molested more than 20 others. The statute of limitations barred Anderson from prosecuting Cole for those cases because they were too old.

The trust was set up because a court could only order Cole to pay restitution to the one victim named in the indictment, even though investigators knew there were many more victims who were in need of help, Anderson said.

Jeff Sanborn, 43, who was abused by Cole for several years beginning when he was 10, said the program was beneficial.

“I used it, and I know a number of other people who used it,” Sanborn said. “I was trying to raise a couple of kids and I didn’t have any money for counseling. It was helpful to me.”