Vindicated Former Priest Recounts False Child Porn Accusations, WPBF, January 21, 2011

Vindicated Former Priest Recounts False Child Porn Accusations

WPBF
January 21, 2011

http://www.wpbf.com/r/26575483/detail.html

[with video]

With his wife of nearly 25 years at his side, Gerard Lamothe tried to tell the tale that's haunted him for almost two years in an exclusive interview Friday with WPBF 25 News.

Vero Beach police officers called him to his own counseling office in February 2009 and showed him the image of child pornography that could be seen on his computer monitor through a window.

Lamothe said he knew instantly that everything was wrong: the computer monitor had been turned since he left the office and marks marred the door jam around the lock.

The man who left the priesthood years earlier figured it was only a matter of time before police proved who framed him.

Lamothe is still waiting for that time.

"I saw them there and my heart sank," said Lamothe of the day officers arrived, guns drawn, to arrest him.

The fallout cost Lamothe his counseling practice. His children were questioned. He was shunned.

"It was devastating," said Lamothe. "That emotional part was absolutely devastating."

But the father of 11 got his break in December 2009, when a man police identified as Justin Boulerice called them to report a burglary at his Vero Beach home.

Boulerice started talking about Lamothe and the child pornography case. An astute officer realized Boulerice knew details about the case that were never released.

Months later, the charges against Lamothe were dropped. This month his records were expunged.

"Every time somebody comes up and says, I always believed in you. I'm glad the truth came out.' Yes, it's part of the healing process," said Lamothe.

The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office has multiple arrest warrants out for Boulerice. He has not been caught.

While Lamothe said he'd like to see that happen so justice can be done, he's rebuilding his life without that arrest, turning to his family and his faith.

"We raise our kids. We hold our heads high," said Lamothe.