May 28, 2005

Documents relating to priest abuse released

MAINE
Boston Globe

May 27, 2005

AUGUSTA, Maine -- The state attorney general's office on Friday released more than 100 pages of documents relating to allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving 21 deceased Roman Catholic clergy.

The documents had been screened to eliminate names of alleged victims and witnesses. They included diocesan records, investigative reports and other material.

The documents were made public in response to an April ruling by the Maine supreme court. In that split decision, the court ruled 4-3 that the attorney general must release the files to Blethen Maine Newspapers, owner of the Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel newspapers.

Blethen Maine Newspapers filed a Maine Freedom of Access request with the attorney general in 2002 seeking records pertaining to the attorney general's investigation of alleged sexual abuse by priests who are now deceased.

Posted by kshaw at May 28, 2005 08:38 AM