Prison seeking new chaplain after priest sex scandal
August 16, 2007
Adapted from the Tribune-Democrat
A Franciscan priest became chaplain at a state correctional institution about six months before he allegedly began having sexual contact with an inmate.
He was hired last year through a contract the state had with his Franciscan order, a prison spokeswoman said.
The priest lost his job at the lockup earlier this year, she said.
State police allege that the sexual encounters – approximately five of them – began last year and continued for several months.
The inmate who allegedly was paid $7,600 in “hush” money by the priest, said the incidents took place during counseling sessions with the priest in the prison chapel.
Substitute priests have been offering Mass for inmates while prison officials work with the local Roman Catholic Diocese to find a replacement chaplain, the spokeswoman said.
Reportedly, the abuse came to light after prison officials questioned the prisoner about a money order that had been sent to his account. The prison then called in state police and the county district attorney to investigate.
State police allege that the priest sent money orders to the inmate and to the inmate’s friends and relatives to keep the illicit encounters secret.
The prisoner – who now is charged with extortion – allegedly told the priest that he had tape-recorded one of the incidents and would make that information public if the priest did not provide money, food and other items.
In addition to working as a prison chaplain, the priest has been the pastor of a local church.
He is charged with 12 counts of institutional sexual assault and five counts of taking contraband – allegedly alcohol for the inmate – into the prison.
The inmate is serving a sentence ranging from 42 years and nine months to 86 ½ years for sexually assaulting a woman at gunpoint and trying to rob her and her husband at a resort.
The couple were on their honeymoon seven years ago when he, posing as a TV repairman, entered their room with a gun and told them he was going to rob them. He forced the woman to tie her husband with shoelaces and then assaulted her in the sauna while holding two guns to the back of her head. |
