JANESVILLE (WI)
Duluth News Tribune
RYAN FOLEY
Associated Press
JANESVILLE, Wis. - A 26-year-old man who claims he was sexually abused by a priest when he was an altar boy concocted the story to explain to his parents why he was gay, the accused priest's attorney argued Thursday.
Attorney Patrick McDonald urged Rock County Circuit Court jurors to award compensatory and punitive damages to the Rev. Gerald Vosen, for what McDonald said were the false accusations made by the man.
In a two-hour closing argument, McDonald said the Milwaukee man made up the story about being abused in fifth and sixth grade at St. John Vianney School in Janesville to justify to his parents his sexual orientation.
"That's why he made up this lie," McDonald said. "Little did he suspect this was going to mushroom and have a devastating effect on so many lives."
McDonald said the man's parents quickly reported the allegations against Vosen to the Diocese of Madison, and that the man was forced to stand by what he had said.