ALBANY (NY)
Albany Times Union
By CAROL DeMARE, Staff writer
First published: Wednesday, May 4, 2005
ALBANY -- Another alleged victim of the Rev. David Bentley came forth Tuesday, claiming he was repeatedly abused by the pedophile priest and saying he is seeking $4 million in a lawsuit filed in Boston.
Michael Cleveland, 34, of Albany, said he was one of four brothers victimized by Bentley when the priest served in various capacities in the Albany diocese.
"Starting at age 11, Father Bentley abused me and raped me in the worst possible way," Cleveland said at a news conference at the North Greenbush home of attorney John Aretakis.
He said Bentley taught him to fish, and the relationship soon turned to sexual abuse. The incidents occurred from 1982 through 1986 in Albany, Schenectady and on Bentley's boat in Boston Harbor and on Saratoga Lake, he said.
Besides Bentley, the lawsuit names Bishop Howard J. Hubbard and the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese.