Mormon Bishop, Driving Instructor Accused of Sexual Abuse

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A Hillsboro man who formerly worked as a driving instructor at Portland Community College has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing 20 girls or women who took his course.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Paul Burdick was arrested Thursday. It wasn’t known if he has a lawyer.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says allegations against Burdick range from 2012 to 2018 while he was an instructor at the college’s Rock Creek campus. Deputy Brian van Kleef says investigators believe there may be more victims.

Burdick is accused of groping driving students during practice or test drives.

Burdick is being held on $150,000 bail at the Washington County Jail on accusations of third-degree sexual abuse.

Burdick was also a bishop of the Hillsboro Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. van Kleef says some of his driving students may have been referred to his course through the church.
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Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com