BishopAccountability.org
	Ex-Choir Director Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Porn By John Christoffersen Hartford Courant [Greenwich CT] January 22, 2007 http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ap-porncharges-0122,0,515179.story?track=mostviewedlink Bridgeport -- The former music director of a prominent church in Greenwich pleaded guilty Monday to possessing child pornography. Robert F. Tate, 64, of Greenwich, admitted possessing between 150-300 pornographic images of children, some engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Prosecutors said some children in the images were younger than 12 years old. "Yes, your honor. I regret to say I did it," Tate told a federal judge. Tate was the longtime music director of Christ Church in Greenwich, where former President George H.W. Bush attended services while growing up. Funeral services for his parents, Prescott Bush Sr. and Dorothy Walker Bush, were held there. Tate oversaw the church's renowned choir programs, including those involving children. Tate traveled with the choir for performances around the country and in Europe. Church officials have said they are unaware of any allegations that Tate had acted inappropriately with children. The church has a strict policy that prohibits adults from being alone with children. Tate has been behind bars since his November arrest in Los Angeles, where he said he was visiting friends. He was expected to be released on $500,000 bond Monday to travel to an unspecified facility in Pennsylvania, defense attorney Francis O'Reilly said. "Mr. Tate has some psychological issues of an extraordinary nature," O'Reilly said. At Tate's last hearing in December, President Bush's aunt and other members of the church attended to support Tate. "I think he's wonderful," Elizabeth Bush, whose husband, Prescott, is President Bush's uncle and former President Bush's brother, said after that hearing. "He's certainly been a wonderful, wonderful choir director for 36 years. He's just the most extraordinarily talented and spiritual person." Court records accuse Tate of possessing digital images of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct and refer to "apparent foreign travel for purpose of photographing children." Tate faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced April 12. Prosecutors say the case is remains open and they are continuing to look into allegations of criminal misconduct.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.