U.S. Investigates Los Angeles Archdiocese Officials

[estesbob]

LOS ANGELES – Federal authorities are investigating the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles to see whether top church officials tried to cover up the sexual abuse of minors by priests, said a person familiar with the matter.

A federal grand jury has issued subpoenas and begun calling witnesses in the probe, which began late last year, said this person. The investigation is still in its early, fact-gathering stage, and it isn’t known whether any criminal charges will result.

online.wsj.com/article/SB123318764732626535.html

 

[Hlafdige]

From catholic.org

Authorities are applying a legal theory in an apparently novel way. One federal law enforcement source said prosecutors are seeking to use a federal statute that makes it illegal to “scheme . . . to deprive another of the intangible right of honest services.”

In this case, the victims would be parishioners who relied on Mahony and other church leaders to keep their children safe from predatory priests, the source said.

To gain a conviction on such a charge, prosecutors would have to prove that Mahony used the U.S. mail or some form of electronic communication in committing the alleged fraud, the source said.

Mail fraud?? “Applying a legal theory in an apparently novel way”?? Pray for Cardinal Mahony. It looks to me like another miscarriage of justice being attempted by money-grubbing shysters.