LGBT activist charged with sexual assault

Teen says former cop assaulted him in YMCA locker room.

Worcester area LGBT activist Albert M. Toney III has been charged with the sexual assault of a 17-year-old male.

Albert Toney and his partner Keith Toney were former plaintiffs in Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, a lawsuit that challenged Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a law which prohibits legally married same-sex couples from gaining federal marriage recognition. Mary Bonauto, civil rights director for Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), led the case.

"Al and his husband Keith Toney helped us prevail in one part of our DOMA lawsuit challenging the State Department's then-existing policy of refusing to allow same-sex couples to change their names on passports to conform to a marriage name change," said Gary Buseck, GLAD's Legal Director. "We know Al and, in particular, all of his work over many years on behalf of LGBT youth and all at-risk youth. These allegations are totally inconsistent with the man we know."

According to Central District Court records, Toney, who lives in Holden, faces two counts of indecent assault and battery. A criminal complaint was issued June 28.

The teenager told investigators that Toney, a former Worcester police officer, approached the 17-year-old from behind in the locker room at a local YMCA, grabbed his buttock, pressed himself against the youth without consent, and urged him to join Toney in the steam room.

According to court records, Toney's arraignment is scheduled for July 26.

Attorney Christopher LoConto, who served as Worcester Assistant District Attorney from 1992 to 1998, is representing Toney. He specializes in sex offender cases, as well as drunk driving and drug violations. LoConto could not be reached through calls or e-mail.