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	Priest Sues Palatine Bridge Family That Accused Him of Sex Abuse By Edward Munger Jr Schenectady Gazette November 19, 2008 http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/nov/19/1119_priest/ FONDA — A priest facing felony child sex abuse charges in Montgomery County filed a civil lawsuit this week against the family that made the accusations against him. The Rev. John W. Broderick, 47, is seeking $500,000, alleging the family made false statements about him. A Montgomery County grand jury indicted Broderick in September on three felony counts of second-degree sexual abuse and a misdemeanor count of first-degree unlawfully dealing with a child. The indictment alleges Broderick, who authorities said was serving as the Palatine Bridge family's "spiritual advisor," abused three children between October 2005 and May 2007. It further alleges Broderick provided alcohol to a person under 21 in 2007. According to the lawsuit, filed Monday in state Supreme Court, Broderick's attorney, John J. Broderick, alleges statements by the family that led to Broderick's arrest caused him to suffer "loss of reputation, loss of employment, past and prospective, the expenditure of money for legal fees to defend a criminal action and other damages." The lawsuit names eight members of the family, including the parents and their children, ages 5 through 11. Broderick's attorney said today he could not discuss specifics of his defense but said he believes his client is not guilty. He said his client passed a lie detector test "with flying colors." "I think we're going to win the case in trial. He's innocent, he didn't do these things, he just didn't do them," said John J. Broderick, who added that he is not related to his client. Albany attorney John Aretakis, who is representing the family, said today he believes the lawsuit itself is a violation of an order of protection issued on behalf of the family. "I can't believe for the life of me that a priest who works in Albany and is originally from Syracuse, would be suing a 6-year-old little boy and his siblings," Aretakis said. Aretakis said he believes the lawsuit is an attempt to scare the family. "I think it's a sign of a really arrogant and twisted pedophile who wants to try to do anything in his power to try to keep these victims quiet," Aretakis said. A criminal trial in the case is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 26, John J. Broderick said.
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