Priest Headed to Trial

We Are Central PA
October 14, 2014

http://www.wearecentralpa.com/story/d/story/priest-headed-to-trial/34780/Wmt06js_30aJIBqF8e4UIA

child sex abuse

A Somerset County Priest pled not guilty in Federal Court Tuesday to charges of sexually abusing young boys at an orphanage and having explicit photos of them.

The U.S Attorney is prosecuting the case against Rev. Joseph Maurizio. The 69 year old was arrested back in September. Attorneys alleged they found images of child pornography on his computer at the church in Central City, Somerset County. Agents raided the church a few days’ prior to his arrest, seizing computers, cameras and other digital equipment.

The defense team for Maurizio maintains that their client is innocent.

On Tuesday Maurizio was back in court for his formal arraignment. 35-40 people including family, friends and church members were there in support of the former priest who was at Our Lady Queen of Angels. Not one was willing to give a statement or comment to the media after the hearing.

The prosecution told the judge they felt Maurizio is a flight risk even with his passport taken away because of large sums of money he has access too. Maurizio’s accounts total more than $1 million, including cash, bonds and IRA’s.

“He has the money from making smart investments,” said Steven Passarello, Maurizio’s attorney. “The facts are he only has access to one or two of those accounts.”

The prosecution stated they were recently made aware of a $127,000 cash with drawl from one of his accounts.

"We are aware of the withdrawal and have informed the court and the United States Attorney," said Passarello.

The defense states the money is being used to pay for a Honduras defense team to conduct their own investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse.

Maurizio was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury a week ago. The defense and prosecution have to go over all financial accounts before the judge makes a decision surrounding the release of Maurizio.