April 24, 2005

Ex-Newark priest added to abuse suit

CALIFORNIA
The Argus

By Linh Tat, STAFF WRITER

NEWARK — A former Newark priest is being sued by a former altar boy who said he was molested at St. Edward Catholic Church in the 1980s, bringing the number of Tri-City area priests to be accused of such acts to seven.

According to the lawsuit, the former alter boy accuses Rev. Gary Luiz, who was assigned to St. Edward at the time, of molesting him from about 1980 to 1986.

Luiz, now serving at a Berkeley monastery, refused to comment and hung up on an Argus reporter Friday.

The plaintiff attended the church's school from 1976 to 1982 and worked at the rectory at the time of the alleged incidents, according to the suit, filed by Katherine K. Freberg, an attorney at the Irvine-based law firm representing the man who is now 35.

Luiz fondled the student's genitals and buttocks, rubbed or massaged his body, engaged in masturbation, mentioned pornography, gave the boy gifts and took him on trips, according to the lawsuit.

Posted by kshaw at April 24, 2005 07:06 AM