Priest abuse case resurfaces

By Almendra Carpizo
StocktRecord
July 10, 2015

http://www.recordnet.com/article/20150710/NEWS/150719943

Allegations of a priest’s "inappropriate conduct with a minor" have resurfaced almost 15 years after the case was first brought to the attention of the Diocese of Stockton and authorities, according to the diocese.

On Friday, the Diocese of Stockton released a statement that it received information alleging Father Editho Mascardo’s misconduct. The diocese said it had alerted authorities and had placed Mascardo on administrative leave.

The alleged incident seemed to have occurred in 2001, said Sister Terry Davis, spokeswoman for the Diocese of Stockton. The allegations were reported at the time, and law enforcement was notified. The case was investigated by the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, but there were no charges filed at the time, she added.

Davis said she did not know why the accusations have resurfaced and added that she had little information about the investigation.

Mascardo, who currently serves as a hospital chaplain in Stanislaus County, was at St. Mary’s Church in Stockton during 2001, Davis said.

The diocese, which oversees parishes in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Alpine and Mono counties, filed for bankruptcy in January 2014 stating an onslaught of claims of sexual abuse by priests had drained its finances of millions.

According to Record archives, the diocese spent $32 million in legal costs and settlements over two decades.

Davis, who learned about the allegations on Friday, said she did not have any more information about the case or which law enforcement agency was notified.

She added that the diocese was just recently notified of the allegations and acted on it right away.