Several women are suing drug rehabilitation center over alleged sexual abuse by former director

LAGRANGE, Ga – Several women seeking drug addiction treatment at Crossroads Treatment Center in LaGrange have filed suit. The women allege that the methadone clinic’s former program director sexually harassed and abused them.

The lawsuit alleges that the center was negligent in its hiring, training, supervision and retention of Roderick Branscomb, resulting in multiple patients being sexually abused during their most vulnerable times between 2021 and 2023.

Branscomb, who Is currently being held in the Troup County Jail on multiple sex crime charges is no longer at the facility.

“I’m not afraid of him,” says one of the plaintiffs, Wanda Butler.

The lawsuit alleges that Branscomb began demanding that Butler and other recovering women hug and caress him.

Butler alleges in the lawsuit that Branscomb threatened to remove her from the program if she did not agree to “provide him with some sexual gratification and not tell anyone about his inappropriate sexual misconduct.”

The lawsuit goes on to say that Butler was forced to have sexual intercourse with the then-program director.

“I came to Crossroads looking for treatment, for answers, I did nothing wrong,” Butler says.

In a statement, Crossroads Treatment Centers says:

“We are aware of the Georgia Attorney General’s indictment against Mr. Branscomb. Mr. Branscomb is a former employee and has not been associated with our organization since 2023. We have and will continue to fully cooperate with and support the authorities throughout the investigation and the conclusion of any legal proceedings.

“While Crossroads as an organization has not alleged any wrongdoing, we take the safety of patients and employees extremely seriously. Crossroads conducts background checks, reference checks, license checks and other verifications, including on an individual basis, as part of our hiring process.” We have a long history of providing quality care in Georgia and remain committed to serving all patients and families who depend on us to ensure successful and safe treatment of substance use disorders.

One of the plaintiffs’ lawyers says there must be justice for survivors and encourages them to reach out to someone for help.

“This is not the first case of this type we have seen involving opioid treatment and people using their addiction to sexually exploit women,” said Nathaniel Foote, Butler’s attorney.