Archbishop Retains Stateside Lawyer, Demands End to Harassment

By Jolene Toves
KUAM
July 17, 2015

http://www.kuam.com/story/29569791/2015/07/17/archbishop-retains-stateside-lawyer-demands-end-to-harassment

The chancellor for the Archdiocese of Agana, Father Adrian Cristobal, confirms that Archbishop Anthony Apuron has retained the services of Attorney Michelle Neal with the Employment Law Counsel in California. According to Father Adrian, "The lawyer is acting on behalf of the archbishop because of the constant harassment by [John] Toves."

Toves, a former Guam resident, has made allegations of sexual harassment against Archbishop Apuron, however no victim came forward and the leader of the island's Catholic faithful denies any such allegation.

According to the letter obtained by KUAM News, the archbishop is demanding that Toves "Immediately cease and desist from making any further defamatory comments or publications against Archbishop Apuron's reputation and character." It further states that the conduct causes grave harm not only to the archbishop, but the church as a whole. The letter goes on to state that if Toves does not comply with the demand, "The archbishop will have to pursue all legal remedies including seeking monetary damages for harm to his reputation and character, punitive damages, injunctive relief and an order that Toves pay court costs and attorney's fees."