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	Diocese, County Renew Agreement on Investigations By Deirdre Cox Baker Quad-City Times August 24, 2007 http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/08/24//news/local/doc46ce6940a0d30298603031.txt Bishop Martin Amos and Scott County Attorney Mike Walton have reaffirmed an agreement that dictates the handling of investigations into alleged clergy sexual abuse. The "Memorandum of Understanding" between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport and the county attorney directs that all allegations of sexual abuse of minors — by clergy or religious order men and women and reported to the diocese — be immediately forwarded to the county attorney. The agreement was first signed in 2004 by then-Bishop William Franklin and former Scott County Attorney Bill Davis. "One of the benefits of the memorandum is the clear understanding that reports of abuse by living priests are sent to the Scott County attorney before any determination is made by the diocese," said Deacon David Montgomery, diocese spokesman. Walton said his office will review all complaints to determine whether criminal charges are appropriate in Scott County or should be forwarded to another county for investigation and possible prosecution. Since the agreement was signed in 2004, the investigations handled by the office have involved cases that are older than the statute of limitations, which is about three years, Walton said. Deirdre Cox Baker can be contacted at (563) 383-2492 or dbaker@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.
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