VERMONT
Times Argus
May 19, 2006
Rutland Herald
A judge released a stack of background paperwork Thursday related to the Vermont Catholic Church's call to bar him from presiding over 19 priest misconduct lawsuits.
But he made no decision on its recusal request.
In a main motion made public Monday, church lawyer David Cleary claims Judge Ben Joseph's rulings in the recent civil case of Michael Gay, 38, of South Burlington, versus the Rev. Edward Paquette have jeopardized the statewide Diocese of Burlington's ability to receive fair hearings in the future.
Cleary had hoped the court wouldn't release either the main motion or background paperwork, saying they contain private and confidential information.
But Joseph decided Thursday to release the documents as long as they don't contain the names of other alleged victims and priest-perpetrators.