MINNESOTA
Fox 9
video report by Tom Lyden
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) –
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis brought in some heavy hitters to investigate the child sex abuse allegations plaguing the church, but survivors say they weren’t told about a very relevant bit of history from a new hire’s resume.
Tim O’Malley, the former superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, was appointed to the newly-created position of director of ministerial standards and safe environment at the end of August. Last week, he brought in his old boss — former Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion — to help without much fanfare; however, Campion had first-hand experience dealing with a child abuse allegation 20 years ago — and it’s a case that’s very similar to those the church is accused of mishandling.
Campion’s own methods are raising serious questions, but lawyers announced last week that he will join the investigation of abuse allegations after they announced a settlement involving the archdiocese. Some abuse survivors, including Bob Swiderski, welcomed the idea of having a top cop come into the church.
“We just heard he was this longtime cop,” Swiderski told Fox 9 News.
Yet, back in 1993, Campion was the No. 2 guy at the BCA. That’s when former Minneapolis Police Chief John Laux forwarded a letter he got from two brothers who said they were molested by a counselor at the YMCA’s Camp Warren. That counselor, William Jacobs, had become the Minneapolis Park Police Chief, and Campion arranged a meeting between Jacobs and one of his victims. During that meeting, Jacobs allegedly confessed.
Speaking to Fox 9 News by phone from the chancery office, Campion claimed his hands were tied. The Attorney General’s Office told him the cases were outside the statute of limitations, and the victims didn’t wish to go public. So, Campion told Jacobs he was going to keep an eye on him. When asked whether he conducted an investigation, Campion said, “I did an inquiry.”
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