Fr. Eric Swearingen
Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish when sued in 2002; briefly placed on leave. Accused of abusing a teenage altar boy at Our Lady Of Guadalupe in Bakersfield 1989-1993. The Diocese deemed allegation not credible. Allowed to return to ministry after the D.A’.s office did not pursue criminal charges in 11/2002; said no evidence and no witnesses. Mistrial in civil case 12/20/2006 due to split decision: the jury ruled Swearingen did likely abuse the boy, but the Diocese did not have prior knowledge. The suit required both claims to be true. Case went to binding arbitration in 5/2007 to settle the suit. Named rector of a diocesan high school in 12/2007. Named pastor 6/2014 of the Catholic Church of Visalia, also called Good Shepherd. Placed on leave in 6/5/2019 due to new information from the 2006 civil case. Reportedly ill with brain cancer. Died 1/18/2020, age 58. Included in 8/2021 on the Diocese’s list of credibly accused.
- Fresno Bee 10.04.02
- Fresno Bee 11.13.02
- Fresno Bee 12.17.03
- Fresno Bee 11.29.06
- St Luis Obispo Tribune (AP) 11.30.06
- ABC 30 12.04.06
- Fresno Bee 12.05.06
- Fresno Bee 12.06.06
- ABC 30 12.06.06
- Fresno Bee 12.07.06
- Fresno Bee 12.08.06
- Fresno Bee 12.12.06
- Fresno Bee 12.21.06
- Fresno Bee 12.21.06
- Fresno Bee 01.15.07
- Fresno Bee 05.05.07
- California Catholic Daily 12.27.07
- Mercury News 12.28.07
- SNAP Statement 11.12.08
- Injury Board 03.19.09
- NPR 03.31.10
- SNAP Statement 12.10.10
- Visalia Times-Delta 07.10.14
- SNAP Statement 07.11.14
- Visalia Times-Delta 07.18.14
- Visalia Times-Delta 07.18.14
- Visalia Times-Delta 05.08.19
- Visalia Times-Delta 05.22.19
- KGET TV 06.10.19
- Sun Gazette 06.19.19
- Visalia Times Delta via Legacy 01.22.20
- Visalia Times-Delta 01.22.20
- Visalia Times-Delta 08.11.21
- The Sun-Gazette 08.11.21
- Diocese of Fresno List accessed 01.17.22
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Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.