Priest's Alleged Sexual Misconduct under Investigation

By Jenna Chandler
The Patch
July 26, 2012

http://santamonica.patch.com/articles/alleged-sexual-misconduct-by-local-priest-under-investigation

Police are investigating allegations of sexual battery by a priest at St. Anne's Catholic Church, a department spokesman said in a press release Thursday.

No arrests have been made in the case, which was reported to July 1 to Santa Monica Police.

A woman, who isn't a parishioner at the church, told police the incident occurred on church property near Colorado Avenue and 20th Street in September of last year.

St. Anne's referred requests for comment to its attorney, Donald Steier, who did not return a message.

"There is an [accusation of] sexual battery... which usually indicates a misdemeanor crime," said police Sgt. Richard Lewis.

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