7th person alleges abuse by Philly columnist

[December 24, 2011]  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A seventh person has come forward with allegations she was sexually abused by former Philadelphia Daily News sports columnist Bill Conlin.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports (http://bit.ly/sPrYkt) the woman says Conlin assaulted her at the beach in Margate, N.J., when she was 11 years old in the 1960s.

Conlin retired from the Daily News on Tuesday, hours before The Inquirer posted a story about allegations that he had abused four people decades ago when they were children. Two other accusers have since come forward.

The Inquirer reports the unidentified woman who spoke out Friday says Conlin, a family friend, assaulted her twice while he was visiting the Jersey Shore.

The 77-year-old Conlin has vowed through his lawyer, George Bochetto, to clear his name. Messages left for Bochetto were not immediately returned.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.