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Religious Author, Motivational Speaker Accused Of Lewd Acts With Teen

VENTURA (CBS/AP) — Prosecutors are charging a Southern California Christian author and motivational speaker with committing lewd acts with a teenager.

The Ventura County Star reports that William "Bill" Heatley of Oak Park was charged Thursday with one count of luring a 15-year-old and two counts of committing a lewd act with the teen.

Prosecutors say the three instances took place between December and May 29, when the 56-year-old Heatley was arrested. Authorities didn't say whether the teen was a boy or girl.

Heatley is free on bail, but was ordered to avoid contact with minors except for his own child, a daughter.

His attorney, Michael Goldstein, says his client has a stellar reputation in the community. He says the allegations are out of character.

Heatley is author of a book entitled "The Gift of Work."

From his website's bio, it says the author writes about "discovering meaning, purpose, and value in whatever we do." It said his next project is about personal discipleship.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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