AUGUSTA (ME)
Foster's Daily Democrat
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine attorney general's office released additional documents Friday relating to allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Roman Catholic religious personnel, bringing the number of deceased individuals subject to allegations to 25.
"We are now certain that office 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.