Cleveland Catholic Diocese Responds to Priest Arrest

By Kara Sutyak
Fox 8
October 11, 2013

http://fox8.com/2013/10/11/cleveland-priest-arrested-accused-of-offering-50-for-sex/

( James McGonegal, Photo from Cleveland Police )

A Cleveland priest was arrested Friday afternoon, accused of soliciting sex at Edgewater Beach, according to Cleveland Metroparks Rangers.

Spokesperson Monica Banks Hines told FOX 8 that the suspect signaled over a man to his car and offered him $50 for oral sex.

That man turned out to be a ranger in plain clothes.

Banks Hines told FOX 8 the suspect is Rev. James McGonegal, a priest at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church on Lorain Ave. in Cleveland.

Banks Hines also said McGonegal admitted to authorities that he’s HIV positive.

He faces felony charges.

Catholic Diocese of Cleveland said, “Diocesan authorities have a policy of cooperating with civil authorities in these kinds of matters and will do so in this matter.”