PENNSYLVANIA
Citizens Voice
By Edward Lewis, Staff Writer 05/19/2005
A former Roman Catholic priest admitted in Luzerne County Court on Wednesday to sexually assaulting a teenage boy while stationed at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Duryea.
Albert M. Liberatore Jr., 41, Scranton, was sentenced to five-years' probation by President Judge Michael Conahan after pleading guilty to three counts each of indecent assault and corruption of minors, and one count each of endangering the welfare of children and furnishing alcohol to minors.
Prosecutors emphasized that no deal was made with Liberatore's lawyers, Joseph Cosgrove and Larry Moran, on sentencing.
First Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline Musto Carroll said that sentencing was at the discretion of Judge Conahan and that the criminal offenses did not meet the criteria of the state's Megan's Law.
"This was not a plea agreement; he pleaded guilty to all the offenses levied against him," Musto Carroll said.
District Attorney David W. Lupas said the victim, now 20 years old, was satisfied with Liberatore's guilty plea.