Fr. Denis Lyons

Ordained: 1958
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles CA

Removed in 2002 after allegations of sexual abuse in 1979. Arrested in 2003; charged with abusing teens. Charges dropped in 2003 after Supreme Court ruling on the statute of limitations. Sued several times. Included on both the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Diocese of Orange lists of accused priests. A 3/2008 lawsuit claims abuse in 1994/1995 of a boy, ages 7-9; settled in 2/2009. Prior to this settlement, Orange had already paid $4M plus in settlements. Arrested on new charges in 7/2009. Pleaded guilty in a plea bargain 3/23/2012. Sentenced in 8/2024 to a year jail, 5 years probation and to register as sex offender. New suit 3/27/2012. Status per the Diocese of Orange website 8/12/2016 was “Life of Prayer and Penance.”

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