The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, January 9, 1996               TAG: 9601090244
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: MANTEO                             LENGTH: Short :   32 lines

CANDIDATE SAYS MOLESTATION SUIT IS BLACKMAIL

A Republican candidate for the Dare County Board of Commissioners said Monday that a sexual molestation suit filed against him is a blackmail attempt, and that he will fight the suit in court.

Hiram Gallop, an 82-year-old retired ship's captain from Wanchese, is seeking the seat currently held by Clarence Skinner. A complaint filed last week by an 18-year-old Virginia Beach woman alleges that Gallop fondled her sexually in 1985, when she was 7.

Leslie Anne Parker is seeking $10,000 in damages. The suit was filed Jan. 3 in Dare County Superior Court.

``This old boy has weathered a lot of storms,'' Gallop told the commissioners during their public comment period.

``I'm the oldest of 14 children, and I've weathered a lot of storms. I'll come out on the big end of this, or I'll be in my grave before it's over.''

Parker alleges that as a result of Gallop's actions, she has suffered severe emotional distress. Gallop is Parker's grandmother's uncle.

Attorneys for the woman have requested a jury trial. No court date has been set.

KEYWORDS: SEXUAL ABUSE SEX CRIME LAWSUIT CANDIDATE by CNB