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	Ex-Youth Minister Testifies in Civil Lawsuit By Ann Givens Newsday [Mineola NY] April 24, 2007 http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-lisex0425,0,887765.story?coll=ny-top-headlines From the moment a former youth minister at an East Meadow Catholic church kissed his 15-year-old student, he knew he was breaking the rules, he testified Tuesday. Matthew Maiello, now 33, of Stamford, Conn., said he could not recall pulling the girl onto his lap or telling her that God's plan was for them to be together, as she testified Monday. He also could not recall losing his temper when she tried to end the relationship. But he admitted that he initiated a sexual relationship with the girl eight years ago and that he pushed her to go further and further with him, until they were having sex several times a week on church property. "Did you believe it was appropriate to take the virginity of a young girl in your office at the parish?" asked the woman's lawyer, Ben Rubinowitz of Manhattan. "No," Maiello said. Maiello took the stand in State Supreme Court in Mineola Tuesday in a civil lawsuit that was filed by two of his victims. He, St. Raphael's Church and its pastor, the Rev. Thomas Haggerty, and the Diocese of Rockville Centre are all being sued for $150 million. Maiello, who pleaded guilty to the rape and sodomy of the two plaintiffs and two others in 2003, served more than 2 years in prison for his crimes. During three hours on the stand, Maiello responded matter-of-factly to questions by Rubinowitz, at times even smiling ironically, prompting the lawyer to ask, "Do you think this is funny?" Only during questions about the other plaintiff, a man who was 15 when Maiello began molesting him and forcing him and the female victim to have sex with each other and with him, did Maiello show any shame. When asked if he had oral sex and intercourse with the boy, he closed his eyes and exhaled audibly before answering "Yes." Neither Maiello nor his lawyer, Lawrence Carra of Mineola, would comment outside court. Earlier Tuesday, the female plaintiff, whom Newsday is not naming because she is a victim of sexual abuse, was cross examined by Brian Davey, a lawyer for Haggerty, the church and the diocese. Davey asked the woman, now 23, numerous questions about her impressive academic achievements and work history. Davey said in his opening argument that the woman has been able to have a normal and even highly successful life despite the abuse. He also questioned her about Maiello's close relationship with her family. Davey has said that if the girl's parents didn't know he was abusing their daughter, it was unreasonable for Haggerty or other church employees to have known. Contact: ann.givens@newsday.com
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