GARY (IN)
Indianapolis Star
March 16, 2005
Gary -- Florida authorities have decided not to seek criminal charges against a Roman Catholic priest from the Diocese of Gary who was accused of molesting a Florida teenager more than a decade ago.
Orlando Police Detective Jonathan O'Hern said Monday the allegations against the Rev. Richard Emerson were investigated thoroughly but that the elapsed time, combined with the state and federal laws involved, blocked the filing of charges.
Emerson's attorney has denied the allegations against the priest. In December, Gary Bishop Dale Melczek suspended Emerson, 52, from his position at Notre Dame Church near Michigan City.
In January, the accuser filed a lawsuit against the dioceses of Gary and Orlando, claiming Emerson repeatedly molested him from the time he was 11 in 1986 until he was nearly 18.
Posted by kshaw at March 16, 2005 05:41 AM