Suffolk police have received allegations of sexual abuse against Richard-Scott Rogers since he was killed in the US, it has emerged
Enquiries relating to child sex abuse involving the former Bury St Edmunds dance teacher are now under way on both sides of the Atlantic following the 52-year-old’s death in Louisiana.
Known as Scott Rogers, he is believed to have been shot dead by his besotted son-in-law Mathew Hodgkinson in an apparent suicide pact after their life in the United States was put in jeopardy.
Mr Rogers, who was said to have been very controlling, had created a persona as a wholesome community-spirited local TV talk show host in Louisiana.
He had left Britain under a cloud in December 1995 following a warning of a religious cult-like atmosphere at the Academy of Dancing and Performing Arts which he founded in 1983.
In November 1995 Suffolk County Council warned of pupils switching allegiances from parents to a senior member of the dance school. The concerns came out of trial in 1993 in which Mr Rogers was cleared of molesting a child from the academy.
Suffolk police have said since his death they have received allegations about Mr Rogers.
Nishan Wijeratne, a spokesman for Suffolk Constabulary said: “There were no UK police investigations ongoing into Scott Rogers prior to his death.
“Suffolk police have so far received a handful of calls from people who have made initial allegations that they were sexually abused by him.
“Detectives will be making contact with these individuals in the next few days to ascertain whether they wish to disclose further information.”
Allegations have been made in the US that children were abused by paedophiles when in Mr Rogers’ care many years ago.
Baton Rouge prosecutor Tony Clayton said: “I want to know whether or not he was involved in sex trafficking with kids and things of that nature. I’m looking for the public to help us from England or the US and to contact the local authorities. We are following up all the leads.”
Mr Hodgkinson, 36, who travelled to the US with Mr Rogers, is currently in a critical condition in a Louisiana hospital with a self-inflicted head wound.
He lived with Mr Hodgkinson in St Gabriel, Baton Rouge, and is said to have been in a relationship with him. Also living in the house was another man in his 30s.
Mr Hodgkinson is married to Mr Rogers’ 29-year-old daughter Kimberly.
Federal staff discovered Mr Rogers had lied on his immigration forms while attempting to adopt a child, stating he had never been arrested in the UK.
Mr Rogers feared he would be exposed as living in the country illegally having been granted immigration status with Kimberly in 2009.
His life in the US appears to have been built on lies.
A resolution made by a US senator in 2011 commended Mr Rogers for exemplary and outstanding service to the Baton Rouge area. It stated a successful career as a marketing and production consultant worldwide had brought Mr Rogers to the States.
Mr Rogers may also have had financial problems as court papers show that two weeks ago he secured a $344,954 mortgage on his property.
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