Sask. pastor under investigation following online harassment allegations
Lutheran Church-Canada (LCC) is investigating a Saskatchewan pastor following allegations that he used an anonymous Twitter account to harass a Saskatoon blogger.
In a statement posted on its website, the church said Todd Guggenmos had been "publically accused of harassing an individual online."
The church also said it had received a screenshot of a message allegedly sent by Guggenmos' account that condones sexual relationships between adults and minors.
“We are committed to finding out the truth and are currently arranging for the engagement of an external investigator,” the LCC statement said.
“No person deserves to face harassment, as alleged in these complaints. And our church body strongly condemns pedophilia.”
LCC said Guggenmos has been placed on leave pending the outcome of its investigation.
Guggenmos serves in Saskatchewan's Triune Lutheran Parish — which includes churches in the communities of Langenburg, Landestreu and MacNutt.
The investigation comes after allegations of online harassment were made by blogger Tammy Robert concerning the Twitter account, @NotTammyR.
In a blog post, Robert said the tweets originating from the account were “breathtakingly vile.”
Robert said the account directed “vicious, personal attacks” at her over a roughly two-year period.
Robert said she believes Guggenmos is behind the account, based on “enterprising internet sleuths” who allegedly outed him.
CTV News has contacted Robert and is awaiting a response.
In a message to CTV News, Guggenmos said he is looking forward to receiving the report from the independent investigation.
“I did not ever tweet anything about sexual relations with minors. That tweet is an obvious fake and is libel,” Guggenmos said.
Robert alleges when she confronted Guggenmos, he denied the allegations.
Shortly after, his personal Twitter account and the @NotTammyR page were both deleted simultaneously, Robert alleges in her blog post.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.