The complaint states that some of the women were minors at the time of the incidents. All live out of state. One new male plaintiff, identified as Daniel Dorsett, alleged that while he was Gothard’s driver from 1994 to 1996 he saw him “sexually harass or molest” more than 150 “young ladies,” according to the litigation. Dorsett alleges Gothard told him he would go “straight to hell” if he reported it.

More former followers of the DuPage County-based Institute in Basic Life Principles have joined a lawsuit alleging leaders of the conservative Christian ministry conspired to cover up decades of sexual abuse and other acts of harassment.

Sixteen women and two men, in an amended 213-page complaint filed late Wednesday, allege they were victims of sexual abuse, harassment or other inappropriate conduct while they were either participants, interns or employees of the institute several years ago.

Besides monetary damages, they have asked a DuPage County judge to bar IBLP leaders from alleged plans to liquidate resources estimated at more than $100 million while they close the institute’s headquarters near Oak Brook and relocate to Texas, the lawsuit states.

In October, five women sued the institute and its board of directors. An amended suit with five more accusers filed in January dropped the individual directors as defendants but added the institute’s controversial founder and former president, Bill Gothard.

In the latest filing, Gothard is accused by three women of molestation, while other plaintiffs allege he and IBLP officials conspired to conceal various acts of wrongful conduct involving others instead of reporting it to police and state child welfare officials, according to the litigation.

“Like Bill Cosby, it continues to grow with more and more people coming forward,” said David Gibbs III, a Texas attorney who filed the lawsuit.

The complaint states that some of the women were minors at the time of the incidents. All live out of state. One new male plaintiff, identified as Daniel Dorsett, alleged that while he was Gothard’s driver from 1994 to 1996 he saw him “sexually harass or molest” more than 150 “young ladies,” according to the litigation. Dorsett alleges Gothard told him he would go “straight to hell” if he reported it.

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