TACOMA (WA)
The News Tribune
ADAM LYNN; The News Tribune
Published: October 28th, 2005 03:00 AM
A now-retired Catholic priest who lived and worked in Tacoma for more than 14 years has been sued by four women who claim he sexually abused them as girls during his decades-long tenure in northern Alaska.
The head of the Jesuits of the Oregon Province said Thursday that the Rev. James Poole has admitted sexual misconduct against both girls and women in Alaska. The Rev. John Whitney also said the Catholic Church was aware of Poole’s inappropriate conduct with women before transferring him to Tacoma in June 1989.
“There was some misconduct in various situations,” said Whitney, provincial superior for Jesuits in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and Montana. “We have settled two cases against him. There are two outstanding cases against him in Alaska.”
Poole has not been charged with any crimes, but the Catholic Church has paid out more than $1 million in settlements stemming from his troubles in Alaska, said attorney John Manly, whose Costa Mesa, Calif., firm has assisted Alaska lawyers who sued Poole on behalf of women who claim the priest abused them as children.