Catholic Priest Still under Investigation

Western Star
June 5, 2012

http://www.thewesternstar.com/News/Local/2012-06-05/article-2995991/Catholic-priest-still-under-investigation/1

CORNER BROOK — The investigation into more allegations of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priest George Ansel Smith is still ongoing.

Smith, 74, has been charged with more than 60 sex-related offences in relation to incidents alleged to have occurred in six communities in western Newfoundland from 1969 to 1989.

The charges against him include gross indecency, indecent assault on a male, sexual assault, unlawfully committing a gross indecency and unlawfully assaulting with intent to commit an indictable offence. The charges are alleged to have happened in Port Saunders, Corner Brook, Stephenville, St. Fintan's, Cape St. George and Deer Lake.

His past is also being investigated by authorities elsewhere in Atlantic Canada.

As was the case the last two times his matters were called in court in Corner Brook, Crown attorney Trina Simms said she was still awaiting the outcome of the ongoing investigation when the charges against Smith were called in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in Corner Brook Monday.

Simms indicated the out-of-province investigation should be concluded before the court's next scheduled arraignment date, which is not until September.

The matter has now been set over until Sept. 10.