Prosecutors to Be Told of Any Child-molestation Claims against Priests in Syracuse Diocese

By Michael Benny
CNY Central
October 27, 2015

http://cnycentral.com/news/local/prosecutors-to-be-told-of-any-child-molestation-claims-against-priests-in-syracuse-diocese

There is a sweeping new agreement between the Roman Catholic Bishop of Syracuse and District Attorneys representing every jurisdiction in the Diocese. The new deal, to be announced by the Broome County District Attorney on Wednesday in Binghamton is a "memorandum of understanding."

The language in the document will "formalize the procedures to be followed in all incidents involving alleged sexual misconduct and abuse of minors by all members of the clergy and religious in the Diocese of Syracuse. The Diocese spans an area of seven counties. The top prosecutors in each of those counties has signed the agreement. That includes Onondaga, Oswego, Oneida, Chenango, Cortland, Madison and Broome counties.

The document also states the Diocese will not conduct its own investigation into allegations and will do its part to preserve any evidence.

The news conference announcing the new understanding is set for 2:00 p.m. at the offices of Broome County District Attorney Gerald F. Mollen.