National Education Consultant's Assault Case Moved to New Court

A trial assignment hearing for an education consultant alleged to have committed an indecent assault on a 9-year-old girl in Swampscott was continued and moved to Peabody District Court.

Douglas Reeves, 58, of 100 Beacon St., #6, Boston, was scheduled for trial Jan. 14, at Lynn District Court but the Essex County District Attorney's Office requested a continuance.

Assistant District Attorney Nicole Starrett told the court that the victim could not make the Jan. 14 trial date due to her final exam schedule, according a court motion.

The trial assignment is scheduled for Feb. 3, at 2 p.m. in Peabody. No information was available in the court file on why the case was moved to a new court location.

At a trial assignment the judge decides items including whether discovery matters have been complied with and resolved. If the case is judged suitable to go forward a court date is assigned.

Reeves remains free on his own personal recognizance under several conditions restricting his contact with children.

Reeves is charged with indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

Reeves' lawyer, Stern, said in an earlier interview that "this accusation is horrifying and devastating to Doug Reeves."

"It's simply not true," he said. "It never happened."

Reeves previously lived on Ocean Avenue in Swampscott, and is alleged to have touched a private area of a child in 2006, according to the court file.

The incident was alleged to have happened while the girl and her family stayed at the Reeves home on a trip that included a stop in Swampscott.

Reeves is the founder of The Leadership and Learning Center, which serves school systems around the world.

He is the author of 30 books and numerous articles on leadership and organizational effectiveness.