PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Democrat
Posted on Sep 10, 2015
by Dave Sutor
Testimony began in a Central City priest’s sex abuse trial Thursday.
And, with a jury seated, attorneys in both sides of the case began trial by painting two far different images of the Rev. Joseph Maurizio Jr.
Prosecutors said Honduran orphans knew Maurizio as the “Money Man” – someone who used donations from home as power to satisfy his sexual urges.
But defense attorney Steven Passarello described Maurizio as a man who dedicated nearly 20 years to helping Honduras’ impoverished youth and expanding their campus-like charity before baseless accusations in the troubled country branded him a pedophile.
A jury of seven men and five women was selected Thursday morning to hear what could be weeks of testimony from dozens of witnesses, including three young men allegedly abused by Maurizio as boys.
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