DETROIT (MI)
Detroit Free Press
February 21, 2019
By Niraj Warikoo
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel accused Catholic Church leaders of not fully cooperating with law enforcement, telling them to stop “self-policing” and allow state investigators to probe sexual abuse by clergy.
Speaking Thursday at her first news conference, Nessel said she will continue the investigations into Michigan’s seven Catholic dioceses launched under her predecessor, former Attorney General Bill Schuette. Schuette conducted raids in October at dioceses in Michigan that involved 70 police officers and 14 assistant attorney generals, Nessel said.
Nessel told victims of abuse and others to speak with state investigators rather than Catholic officials, expressing concern that nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) are being used to discourage victims of abuse to speak with law enforcement authorities.
“Stop self-policing” and let the state do its investigations, she said. “Our office is conducting a thorough investigation and it’s important we be able to talk with any and all victims harmed by these egregious acts without the intervention of the church.”
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