Larry Arata

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A drug recovery program director is accused of using opioid settlement funds to sexually prey on women in addiction, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Lawrence "Larry" Arata, who currently lives in Cape May County, NJ, but he is formerly of Havertown, is the executive director and co-founder of the Opioid Crisis Action Network (OCAN), was charged with 33 criminal counts, including Trafficking in Individuals, Patronizing Prostitutes, Witness Intimidation, and Obstruction of Justice, according to the release.

DA: Arata “Cynically And Cruelly” Targeted Women In Recovery

“People in recovery from opioid and other narcotic addictions need support… Our investigation concluded that Larry Arata cynically and cruelly misused those funds as leverage to satisfy his sexual desires,” Stollsteimer said.

He thanked the victims for coming forward, adding, “We heard you and we support you.”

Affidavit: Gift Cards, Hotels, Coercion, And Sex Acts

According to the affidavit, victims described a pattern in which Arata used OCAN’s settlement-funded gift cards, money, rent assistance, transportation, and program benefits to demand sexual acts. Multiple women said they “could not refuse” because they depended on OCAN to survive.

  • Victim #1 told detectives she was seated in a vehicle outside OCAN’s office when Arata placed two $50 gift cards and a $100 Kohl’s card on the console before unbuckling his pants. She said she performed oral sex on him because she believed she needed to in order to receive services. She also said he later tried to get her to stay at hotels with him from Monday through Wednesday.
  • Victim #2 told detectives that Arata repeatedly contacted her and attempted to arrange secret meetings, even calling during her therapy sessions. She said he described having “a suite at the Best Western in Chester” and positioned himself as a power figure in her recovery, making her feel it was a “losing battle” to refuse his advances.
  • Victim #3, a drug recovery and mental health therapist familiar with OCAN, reported that Arata’s interactions with her also became inappropriate. She said he called her daily and that the conversations shifted into a sexual tone, and two of her own residents later disclosed to her that Arata had exploited them for services. 
  • Victim #4 told detectives she had suffered from addiction since childhood and had previously been a commercial sex worker in Atlantic City. She said she met Arata after entering recovery in Delaware County. While in Pennsylvania, she said Arata repeatedly brought her to hotel rooms at the Best Western in Chester and exchanged gift cards and cash for sex acts, typically totaling around $150. She said she felt coerced and unable to decline because of her vulnerable state and reliance on services.

She also reported that Arata showed up unannounced at her residence in New Jersey wearing a hooded sweatshirt after she stopped communicating with him, which frightened her. License plate reader data placed his vehicle in Atlantic City near her home the same day, according to investigators.

The affidavit includes additional allegations from other victims and witnesses, including unwanted advances, late-night phone calls, pressured meetings, explicit messages, and Arata positioning himself as a “power figure” who could make or break their access to treatment and housing. Witnesses also reported that clients would argue about how many gift cards Arata handed out, saying, “The old white guy has all the gift cards,” and that some clients sold the cards for cash on the street.

Investigators say Arata continued trying to reach certain victims during the investigation, prompting the witness-intimidation charges.

Organization Founded After Son’s Overdose

OCAN-RF, the Opioid Crisis Action Network Recovery Fund, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 by Arata and his wife Heather after the overdose death of their 23-year-old son, Brendan. The organization states it pays for treatment and housing in best practices recovery homes for people with substance use disorder. It also provides grants directly to treatment centers and recovery residences on behalf of individuals in financial need, and does not accept or pay referral fees.

Arata’s Background And Education

According to his LinkedIn page, Arata previously worked more than 20 years as a teacher and coach in the School District of Philadelphia before shifting into nonprofit recovery work. He lists himself as OCAN’s chairperson and executive director since 2018, operating remotely out of Bryn Mawr.  He also ran for Congress in the 5th district in 2018, according to public records.

His profile says he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from Princeton University from 1978 to 1982, followed by a Master of Education in Secondary Education from Cabrini College between 2003 and 2006.

Arraignment And Bail

Arata turned himself in to law enforcement and was arraigned by Magistrate District Judge David R. Griffin. His bail was set at $500,000 with 10 percent required, and he has posted bail.

Investigators Seek Additional Victims

Authorities believe other victims may still be out there and are urging anyone with information to contact the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office or the Victim’s Assistance Center.

  • For the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office call 610-891-4161 or go to delcoda.com.
  • For the Delaware County Victim Assistance Center call any time at 610-566-4342 or visit delcovictimassistance.org.