In a case that raises questions about patient safety in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program, a resident raped at the Moose Lake treatment center alleges that staff failed to shield him from his violent roommate despite warnings that he felt endangered.
Philip Goldhammer, 35, sued the state last month in federal court, alleging his civil rights were not protected.
State officials admit the 2009 assault took place but argue that employees named in the suit were not responsible, according to court documents filed earlier this month.
However, a source with direct knowledge of the incident said in an interview this week that Moose Lake staff ignored requests by Goldhammer to be transferred to another room after his roommate, William Cardwell, threatened him several times before the attack.
It took more than a year and a half after the incident before the state Department of Human Services issued a "client incompatibility" policy designed to protect patients from such attacks, according to a review of agency documents.
On Thursday, Human Services officials said they would not answer questions about security procedures at the time of the attack or delays in developing the incompatibility policy or say how many sexual assault investigations have been conducted at the facility.
The sex offender treatment program, whose population has nearly quadrupled in the past decade, was also faulted in March by Legislative Auditor James Nobles for providing inadequate therapy to patients and insufficient training to staff.
"Nobody took this kid [Goldhammer] seriously," the source said, "and we're going to pay because of it." The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the case is expected to go to mediation in coming weeks.
