The Citadel releases e-mails on sex case

CHARLESTON, S.C., Dec. 1 (UPI) -- E-mails released by The Citadel show the South Carolina school hoped to avoid a formal inquiry into allegations against accused molester Louis "Skip" ReVille.

The e-mails show the military school was aware of the school's exposure to a complaint about ReVille and that in-house attorney Mark Brandenburg was engaged in attempting to help the college avoid publicity and financial damages, The (Charleston) Post and Courier reported Thursday.

In one e-mail, Brandenburg noted the complaining youth had not approached law enforcement or filed a civil suit over sexual abuse allegations against ReVille, who allegedly watched porn and masturbated with young boys while serving as the school's summer camp senior counselor in 2002.

"Moreover, I am hopeful that, by conducting an investigation on behalf of the school, no 'formal' investigation -- criminal or civil -- will occur," Brandenburg's e-mail said. "Of course, I cannot guarantee that, as I have no control over what the complainant does."

Documents indicate Brandenburg attempted in May 2007 to contact former camp counselors and others who might have information about "an incident that supposedly occurred at the Citadel Summer Camp some time ago."

Citadel officials had no comment on the contents of the e-mails, but said their release and that of other documents are indicative of the school's "ongoing effort to be transparent."