ORLANDO (FL)
WFTV
POSTED: 3:41 pm EST January 12, 2005
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A man who says a Roman Catholic priest sexually abused him as a child sued him and the Dioceses of Orlando and Gary, Ind., Wednesday.
The Rev. Richard Emerson is accused of repeatedly molesting the boy, now 29, from 1986 through 1991. He allegedly plied the victim with alcohol and pornography before the abuse, then used threats to keep him quiet.
The alleged victim, identified only as "John Doe," claims the dioceses covered up the crimes and protected Emerson.
Emerson, suspended last month as pastor of Notre Dame Church in Long Beach, Ind., has denied any sexual misconduct with his accuser. The two allegedly met at St. Charles Borromeo School in Orlando.
The lawsuit, filed in Orange County Circuit Court, asks for more than $15,000 in damages.
"We hope that this lawsuit will protect children and will bring out the truth surrounding the facts about the ministry of Father Emerson," said the plaintiff's attorney, Joe Saunders of Pinellas Park.
Posted by kshaw at January 12, 2005 03:28 PM