Smith Accused of Bias in Priest Sex Case

Sydney Morning Herald
April 5, 2012

www.smh.com.au/nsw/smith-accused-of-bias-in-priest-sex-case-20120404-1wd98.html

Accused ... the NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith

THE NSW Attorney-General, Greg Smith, has been accused of denigrating a woman who made sexual abuse allegations against a Sydney priest who is a friend of his as "just trying to get $1 million from the church".

Mr Smith is alleged to have made the comment when he was asked about child abuse allegations against Father Finian Egan, according to the ABC's 7.30 program last night.

A spokesman for Mr Smith said: "The Attorney-General recalls no such conversation. He says he would never suggest any victim of sexual abuse was simply motivated by a desire to claim a financial payout."

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A Catholic Church investigation upheld claims of molestation against Father Egan in 2009 brought by two Sydney women who said he repeatedly groped them in the 1980s when he was their parish priest. One took her claims to the police. In 2010, police began investigating new claims by two sisters.

Mr Smith mentioned Father Egan in his inaugural speech to the NSW Parliament in 2007, noting he had "charmed us with his Irish wit and … devotion to his flock".

According to 7.30, an alleged victim, Nikki Wells, spoke to another priest about her frustration at the lack of action. The priest, not named, was said to have met Mr Smith last July to discuss her concerns.

In an email to Ms Wells, the priest says: "I was with Greg Smith the other day and I raised you [sic] case with him. He commented that 'you were just trying to get $1m from the church.' "

Ms Wells told the program she was "horrified that the chief lawmaker in the state could comment on an open criminal case [and] that he'd pass judgment on someone he doesn't even know".