Stop Child Abuse
TIMELINE OF EVENTS

Here is a timeline of some of the major events that are relevant to this discussion. We hope this will let you put the timing of what happened into perspective.

Date

Event

Source of Information

1954

Walter Breen first convicted for child molestation

New York Probation Dept;
Walter's 1989 sentencing report

1962

SeaCon--the first "fannish" scandal involving Walter Breen

Breendoggle fanzines

1964

Second fannish scandal--Walter having sex with 10-year-old [Victim X]

Breendoggle & Breenagain fanzines

Marion knew of and defended Walter's behavior

MZB's depositions

Marion & Walter get married

MZB's depositions

1970s

Stephen Goldin met various Greyhaven members at SCA events


1984

Stephen Goldin, Mary Mason & Ken Smith move to Northern California (Sacramento); Mary joins Westercon 38 committee


Jul. 1985
Wester-
Con 38

Mary & Ken meet Walter Breen for the first time; Breen spends much of the Con chasing Ken ("babysitting to help Mary out," as he put it)

Court record
Walter's confession

Oct. 1985

Ken invited to visit Walter's house. Mary checks with Elisabeth Waters, Tracy Blackstone, MZB, Diana Paxson & Don Studebaker about safety, etc. They all say it's okay.


Nov. 1985

Ken travels to Berkeley to spend weekend at Walter's & to attend a Greyhaven event. Molested for the first time.

Walter's confession

1985-
1989

Ken and Walter see each other several times a year--mostly at sf conventions we all attended. Walter continued to molest Ken and also found his next victim (Johnny Doe 5) at con

Walter's confession

Jul. 1989

Moira tells her psychiatrist that Walter is molesting Ken. Ken tells police of molestation when questioned.


1989

Out of concern for Ken, Mary resigns as Chair of SF in '93 bid committee


Walter arrested, pleads guilty


Oct. 1989

Walter sentenced to 3 years probation


Nov. 1989

Mary first files suit on Ken's behalf


Xmas 1989

Walter visits and begins molesting his next victim, Johnny Doe 5


1990

Walter arrested for molesting Johnny Doe 5; eventually dies in prison while serving his sentence


1997

Ken turns 21 and hires a new attorney for his case, Chritopher Dolan. Ken agrees to let details of his case be made public. Since Ken is now of legal age, Mary's name is dropped from the suit as guardian ad litem.


MZB & Elizabeth Waters added as defendants for negligence


MZB & Waters countersue Mary, claiming she knew about the molestation all along


1998-
1999

Depositions taken in the case


Aug. 1999

Settlement reached in favor of Ken & entered in court. Countersuit by MZB & Lisa Waters against Mary is dropped permanently.


Aug. 18
1999

Stephen reserves this Web site for publishing these details


Sept. 25,
1999

MZB dies of heart attack


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Copyright 1999 by Stephen Goldin. All rights reserved