JANESVILLE (WI)
Baraboo News Republic
By Brian Bridgeford
JANESVILLE - A Rock County judge Wednesday denied Father Gerald Vosen's request for damages in a defamation lawsuit.
Janesville attorney Patrick K. McDonald, who is representing the Baraboo Catholic priest, appeared in Janesville circuit court, according to court records. He asked the judge to overturn a jury verdict that found sexual assault allegations made against Vosen were credible. As a result of the decision in August, the jury rejected Vosen's demand for $1.1 million in damages against alleged sexual abuse victim Peter J. Arnold, and his parents, Leland R. and Nancy S. Arnold.
Court documents show the Arnolds contacted Catholic Church authorities in Madison during summer 2003. They testified Vosen sexually abused Peter while Vosen was a priest at St. John Vianney Catholic Church and school in Janesville between 1989 and 1991.
Vosen has denied having any sexual contact with Peter Arnold. In May of 2004 he filed a defamation civil suit charging the Arnolds' statements were untrue, damaged his reputation and resulted in his suspension from his work at Baraboo's St. Joseph Catholic Parish.