Palma Alumnus Alleges Abuse, Reaches out to Other Possible Victims

By Virginia Hennessey
Monterey Herald
May 12, 2012

http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_20611521/palma-alumnus-alleges-abuse-reaches-out-other-possible?source=most_viewed

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A well-known Palma High School alumnus has filed a lawsuit alleging he was sexually assaulted by the school's chaplain, possibly after being drugged, in 1984.

Dr. Steven Cantrell, brother-in-law of Palma's head football coach, Jeff Carnazzo, is the fourth man to allege sexual abuse by the Rev. Gerald "Jerry" Funcheon and the second to do so publicly, rather than as "John Doe."

In an exclusive interview last week, Cantrell said he is suing and speaking publicly to support Christopher Spedden, the other named accuser, and to call on Palma President Brother Patrick Dunne to reach out to former students who were abused at the school.

In an open letter to the community, the Visalia opthamologist says legal actions related to the Irish Christian Brothers bankruptcy and an approaching deadline for victims pose an opportunity for Palma to "live up to the same morals they have instilled in young men for over 60 years."