Background of the Case

The case centers around Jose Francisco Bernal, a former pastor at the Tabernacle of Life Pentecostal Church in Fort Worth. In 2017, Bernal was arrested and charged with the continuous sexual abuse of two minors who were members of his congregation.

Authorities revealed that the allegations stemmed from incidents occurring between 2007 and 2013 when the victims were children living in Hurst. However, a criminal trial in 2022 ended in a mistrial as the jury could not reach a unanimous decision, leading prosecutors to ultimately dismiss the charges.

Civil Lawsuit and Recent Verdict

In 2019, one of the victims took legal action against Bernal by filing a civil lawsuit, which culminated in this week’s substantial verdict. The jury concluded that Bernal had committed assault and sexual abuse, and determined his actions were malicious, resulting in severe emotional distress for the plaintiff.

The jury awarded the victim $124 million, comprising:

• $11 million for past mental anguish
• $20 million for future mental anguish
• $93 million in exemplary damages

Additionally, the woman included the church in her lawsuit. The church settled, agreeing to contribute $100,000 and transfer the deed of its property to the victim.

Reactions to the Verdict

Attorney Bob Washington, representing the victim from the Noteboom Law Firm, expressed that the sizeable judgment serves as a significant warning to religious leaders who take advantage of their positions to harm children.