March 03, 2006

More Sex Abuse Suits Filed Against Joliet Diocese

JOLIET (IL)
CBS 2

(STNG) JOLIET, Ill. The Diocese of Joliet was hit with three more lawsuits Thursday, all filed by men alleging they were sexually abused by priests when they were altar boys and students at the Cathedral of St. Raymond. Two of the men allege they were molested by the Rev. Larry Mullins, and the third cites sexual abuse by the Rev. Anthony J. Ross.

The claims bring the number of lawsuits pending against the diocese to at least nine, including one class-action. Each of the new lawsuits seeks more than $50,000 in damages.

One of the new plaintiffs, George Fehrenbacher, alleges Mullins' abuse included an incident at his family's home. The lawsuit stated the parents had asked Mullins there to talk to another son, Christopher, who has also filed a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse by Mullins.

Posted by kshaw at March 3, 2006 04:32 PM