Diocese of San Bernardino CA - BishopAccountability.org

32 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Saul Ayala

Ordained: 1971
Status: Settled

From the Archdiocese of Morelia in Mexico. Arrived in CA in 1982, incardinated into the Diocese of San Bernardino. In 6/2002 an allegation of "sexual harassment and misconduct involving a minor" was filed with the church by a woman. Placed on leave. In 9/2002 two sisters filed suit alleging Ayala abused them at ages 7 and 9 in 1988 and 1989 when he baby-sat them. Their mother had reported their abuse to the Diocese in the late 1980s, with no response. The Diocese settled with them for $30K in 2004. Ayala moved to Mexico shortly after he was placed on leave; possibly in active ministry there. Indications in 2014 he was a retired priest there. Name included on the San Bernardino diocese's list 10/9/2018, noted to be "permanently barred from ministry in the Diocese."

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Edward Lawrence Ball

Order: MSC
Ordained: 1966
Status: Convicted

Died: 10/25/2016
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Indicted in 9/1992 on four counts of abuse of a minor; pleaded guilty to one count. Sentenced to nine months in jail and five years probation. Three victims. Family of two boys settled out of court in 1994. Criminally charged in 1999 with 31 counts of sexually abusing two other boys 1979-1986. Sentenced to three years in prison. Settlement of $4.2M from Diocese and Order in 6/2003. On Sex Offender Registry. On San Bernardino diocese's list 10/9/2018. Died in 2016. Included on the Order's list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Roberto A. Barco

Ordained: 1983
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

From Argentina, Diocese of Chascomus. Assigned to San Salvador parish in Colton, CA 2009 and St. Louis parish in Cathedral City, CA 2011-2014. Included on San Bernardino diocese list 10/9/18. Accused in 4/16 of child sex abuse in 2009-10. Police report filed. Was working in Los Angeles archdiocese at time of report. Removed in 5/16. Returned to Argentina. On Los Angeles archdiocese's list updated 12/6/18.

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Fr. Joseph C. Bell

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

First named publicly as accused on the San Bernardino diocese's list 10/9/18. Assigned to St. Peter and St. Paul in Alta Loma 1985-86. Died in 1/87. Per diocese, it was first aware in 1985 of allegations in the 1960s-70s. Abuse reportedly occurred in IN, KY and NY. (There was also a Wheeling WV diocesan priest, Fr. Joseph G. Bell, who died in 6/86.)

Sources:

Diocese of San Bernardino list 10.09.18

Fr. Gustavo Benson

Ordained: 1972
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Full surname Benson Sotomayor. Accused of abusing at least three boys in San Bernardino, Barstow and Colton in the 1970s and 1980s. Arrested in 1/1987. Pleaded no contest to sexual abuse of one altar boy while working in Barstow CA. Sent to Via Coeli, NM for treatment and ordered to register as a sex offender. With San Bernardino Bishop Starling's approval Benson was transferred in 1987 to the Diocese of Tijuana, México. Tijuana Bishop Emilio Berlie was informed of Benson's past. Two filed suit in 12/2003. Benson's name was included in 3/2007 on the San Diego diocese list. Personnel file released in 10/2010. In 2010 Benson remained an active priest in St. San Judas Ta Deo Church, Ensenada, México. As of 2017, he was believed to be living in Tucson, AZ. Included on the San Bernardino diocese's list 10/9/2018.

Fr. Michael Bucaro

Ordained: 1980
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

A man sued in 2004 alleging he was abused by Bucaro at St. Matthew's Church in Corona and in San Diego in the 1980s. Suit names both dioceses, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and his former Order, the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. San Bernardino denied any record of past complaint of any kind. Bucaro had been working in prison ministry since 1983. He countersued for slander in 2005. Original suit settled in 2008. On San Bernardino diocese's list 10/9/18.

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Fr. Alejandro Jose Castillo

Order: SVD
Ordained: 1981
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

From Mexico City. Ordained in 1981 for the Society of the Divine Word, assigned in Los Angeles, CA. Transferred in 1988 to the Diocese of San Bernardino. Removed from Our Lady of Guadalupe in Ontario CA in 6/2010 after allegations that he abused two brothers within the previous two years. The Review Board found the allegations credible in 9/2010. Subject of a prior complaint involving two adults and one youth; no arrests due to the statute of limitations. Arrested 10/25/2010. Pleaded guilty in 4/2011 to a lewd act with a minor. Sentenced 8/31/2011 to a year in jail and sex offender registration. Released 4/21/2012; re-arrested 5/9/2012 for probation violation; released. Two lawsuits filed 9/22/2011 settled in 2/2014 for $3.8M. Third suit filed in 2012. On the San Bernardino diocese's list 10/9/2018. Included on the Divine Word Missionaries' Western Province list in 2021; noted to have left the order in 2010.

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Fr. Peter Covas

Ordained: 1957
Status: Sued

Died: 05/9/2004
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Ordained for the Congregation of the Holy Spirit in CT. Assigned in Detroit MI, Pittsburgh PA, Lake Charles LA, Tucson AZ, and Riverside CA. Incardinated into the San Bernardino diocese in 1981. Resigned in 1983 as the first financial director of the diocese after he loaned $225K of diocesan money to a man who had been convicted of fraud. Arrested twice, in 1987 and 1988, for public sexual misconduct. Covas left his parish in 4/2002 amid allegations of sexual misconduct with minors. Allegations came to light after an internal diocesan review of files. Civil suits were filed in 2003. Covas died 5/9/2004. His personnel file was released 10/25/2010. Included on the San Diego diocese's list of accused.

Assignments:

Diocese of San Bernardino Assignment Record

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Fr. Owen da Silva

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1936
Status: Sued

Died: 10/13/1967
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

A man filed a 2004 amended pleading in his civil suit against Fr. Matthew Kelly alleging that at least 31 clergymen abused youths in Santa Barbara, CA and at St. Anthony's Seminary. Pleadings name da Silva as the first Santa Barbara perpetrator of child sexual assault and says that he abused an altar boy in 1936-1937 at the seminary. The source cited is a statement by the alleged victim. Fr. da Silva died in 1967. Included on the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans list 5/31/2019. On the Las Cruces diocese's list 6/24/2019, where he worked 1957-1964. (Name misspelled de Silva). Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

Santa Barbara Province Franciscans List 05.31.19

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Fr. Daniel De Dominicis

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Died: 06/24/1996
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

First named publicly as accused on the Diocese of San Bernardino's list 10/9/18. Order and diocese learned of allegations in 8/94, of abuse occurring 1975-85. Assigned to Notre Dame High 1958-68, Our Lady of the Valley in Hemet 1976-78. Left the San Bernardino diocese in 1978. Died 6/24/96.

Sources:

Diocese of San Bernardino list 10.09.18

Fr. Jesus A. Dominguez

Ordained: 1983
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

"Jesse." From Chihuahua, Mexico. Worked in the San Bernardino diocese 1983-93. Placed on leave. Pleaded no contest in 2001 to misdemeanor child molestation. Laicized in 2000. (Initially included on the L.A. archdiocese's list of accused, later shown to have been a mistake.) Charged in 2005 with abusing two boys in 1988-1989. Fled to Mexico before he could be arrested. Six men filed civil suits. Accused in a 2015 lawsuit of abusing a boy in a San Antonio TX orphanage 1980-1983, while a seminary student. Name included on San Bernardino diocese's list 10/9/2018. It shows that the diocese was aware in 1988 of abuse occurring in 1983 and 1988.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Robert J. Donat

Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Donat worked in San Diego Diocese 1966-69. In 1969-93 he taught at Aquinas High School in San Bernardino. After leaving Aquinas, he was pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Montclair until 2006. Diocese first learned in 12/10 that Donat allegedly abused a student at Aquinas in 1973. At least 4-5 other accusers have contacted attorneys claiming abuse. Privileges removed in 8/11 after review board found allegations credible. Sentenced by Vatican to Prayer and Penance. On diocese's list 10/9/18.

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Br. Kevin Dunne

Order: OFM
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

One of several religious accused in 1993 of abuse of students at St. Anthony Seminary. Per a 2002 news article, Dunne was living with his Order at St. Mary's Basilica in Phoenix, serving as their treasurer, doing housework and without contact with children. As of 2007, he was living in a retreat house near Monterey CA, in failing health and with dementia. (See additional information in two petitions filed in Fall 2009.) Included on the Santa Rosa diocese's list 1/12/2019. It notes accusations in 2002 for abuse elsewhere in 1993. Died in 2010. On the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans list 5/31/2019, which notes a report in 1993 of alleged sexual abuse of a minor 1970-1973. On the Las Cruces diocese's list 6/24/2019 (misspelled Dunn), where he worked 1955-1961. On Phoenix diocese's list, no known allegations there. Included on the Tucson diocese's list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Santa Barbara Province Franciscans List 05.31.19

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Fr. Clifton Raymond Etienne

Order: SVD
Ordained: 1979
Status: Sued

Died: 05/22/1998
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Accused in a civil suit of abuse at Divine Word Seminary in Riverside when he was a religious brother, prior to ordination. Assigned as a priest to St. Patrick's parish in the Oakland diocese 1979-1980, St. Anthony's in San Bernardino 1981-1988, then back to Divine Word Seminary 1988-1998. Died in 5/1998. Personnel file released10/25/2010. Included on the San Diego diocese's 9/2018 list. Included on the Society of the Divine Word Western Province list on 7/2021.

Assignments:

Society of the Divine Word Western Province List Assignments

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Fr. Joseph Fertal

Order: SVD
Ordained: 1959
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Working in the Philippines in 1989 when suspected of abuse. Returned to his order's seminary in Riverside, CA, then assigned to parishes. Accused in 1995 of molesting a 16-year-old boy from a catechism class. Civil suit filed in 1996; later settled out of court. Criminal investigation dropped for lack of evidence. Forced by church officials to leave a CA retirement home in 2002 after it learned of his past history. In treatment several times. Added to Scranton diocese's list in 12/2018. Living in Chicago at the time. Reportedly died in 2021. Included on the Society of the Divine Word Chicago Province and the Western Province's lists of credibly accused. Noted to have been assigned in the Philippines 1960-1967, Techny IL 1967-1972, Philippines 1972-1989, California 1990-2004, Dittmer MO 2004-2016, Techny IL 2016-2021. Abuse occurred in Techny IL in 1968, Niles IL 1971, Scranton PA 1972 and Corona CA 1995. On the Archdiocese of Chicago's list as of 5/4/2023. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes at least two "reported survivors."

Assignments:

Society of the Divine Word Chicago Province Assignments

Sources:

Fr. Rodrigo Marciel Garcia

Donate Photo

Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Named publicly by the Diocese of San Bernardino on its list of credibly accused in 5/21. The diocese received a report in 1/20 of abuse by Garcia occurring in 1996. Banned from ministry in the diocese and removed from public ministry in his home diocese of Atlacomulco, Mexico.

Sources:

Diocese of San Bernardino List 05.10.21

Fr. Anthony Martinez Garduno

Ordained: 1990
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Accusations that Garduno asked an adult man to strip during premarital counseling surfaced in about 1993. Sent for treatment. Church trial for heresy after Garduno founded a separate Catholic sect in 1996. He was "removed from the clerical state." Arrested 12/09 and charged with abuse of a 17-year-old boy 4 years before and continued sale of drugs from the church. Accuser said he knew of other minor victims who had been abused at that location. Sentenced 3/10 to 2 years prison on drug and gun charges.

Fr. Rudi Gil

Order: OSST
Ordained: 1978
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Gil arrived in the San Bernardino diocese from Canada in 1987. Accused in 1993 of sexual misconduct with a boy in 1987. Faculties removed. Treated in California at a facility run by Servants of Paraclete for "sexual identity issues." Admitted during counseling that he had sexually abused a child. Left after about two weeks because he said his therapist was ineffective. Said San Diego Bishop Gilbert Chavez helped him find a job in Mexico. No criminal charges. In active ministry in the Diocese of Ensenada at a Tijuana parish in 2002. On San Bernardino diocese's list 10/9/2018, noting that police were informed in 2002, and that Gil was removed from the priesthood.

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Fr. Maximiliano Gomez Macouzet

Ordained: 1946
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Monsignor. From Mexico. Ordained for San Diego in 1946. Graduate studies in Rome 1948-1951. Began working in San Bernardino diocese in 8/1953. Left the diocese in 1966 and was incardinated into the Diocese of Tlalnepantla, Mexico in 619/67. A civil suit was filed in 1966 claiming assault and battery of a 17-year-old boy in 1962. Judgment of $35K in 6/1968. Name included on list of priests with credible allegations released by the San Diego Diocese in 3/2007. Personnel file released in 10/25/2010 by San Diego.

Assignments:

Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07

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Fr. J. Ernest Hayes

Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Died: 01/3/1990
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

First named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 10/9/18. It notes diocese aware in 6/87 of alleged abuse 1978-83, 1981 and 1987. Hayes died in 1990.

Assignments:

Diocese of San Bernardino list 10.09.18

Sources:

Diocese of San Bernardino list 10.09.18

Fr. Joseph Jablonski

Order: MSC
Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

First named publicly as accused on the San Bernardino Diocese's list 10/9/2018. Abuse allegedly occurred in 2014. Reported to the Diocese and police in 5/2014. Per the Diocese, Jablonski was visiting and did not have faculties there. Added to the Rockford IL Diocese's list in 10/2020. Added to Joliet's list in 2/2021, where he was a supply priest 8/2011-3/2019. Joliet faculties were removed in 3/2019. Included on the Sacred Heart Missionaries USA Province list of credibly accused. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes two "reported survivors," of abuse in 2014 and 2015.

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Seminarian Dennis Raymond Jost

Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Raised in the San Angelo TX diocese. Spent years in CA training to be a deacon before being removed from the program. (Was never in seminary for priesthood.) Served as volunteer coordinator of altar boys. Accused in a 1992 suit of abuse of one boy. Arrested in 1992 on charges that in 1990 he took minor from CA to AZ to abuse him. Convicted and sentenced in 1993 to six months in jail and two years probation. Worked in the Dallas diocese 1995-1997 until his past was uncovered. Personnel file released by the San Diego diocese 10/25/10 references a prior conviction from the 1970s.

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Fr. Timothy F. Keppel

Order: CR
Ordained: 1977
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

On 1/12/2013, the Order announced that Keppel had been removed after it had received (in summer 2012) an allegation of sexual misconduct involving a teenage boy in the San Bernardino Diocese in the late 1970s. The boy was not a member of either Our Lady of the Lake or St. Anne's in the Mountains where Keppel was assigned for many years. The Diocese investigated and both the Diocese and Order found reasonable cause to believe that the behavior did occur. Sentenced in 2012 by the Vatican to a life of prayer and penance. Included on the Diocese's list 10/9/2018. On the Mobile Archdiocese's list 12/6/2018, which notes "misconduct" occurring 1977-1981; it doesn't say where. Worked at some point at Resurrection parish in Montgomery. On the Stockton diocese's 11/12/2020 list, noting he was a visiting priest at Mammoth Lakes during Lent 2012. Included on the Resurrectionists' list of credibly accused 10/27/2021.

Assignments:

Diocese of Stockton Revised List 11.12.20

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Fr. Robert Kurilec

Order: SCJ
Ordained: 1968
Status: Accused

Died: 09/23/2019
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

First named publicly as accused on the Diocese of San Bernardino's list 10/9/2018. Abuse reportedly occurred in 1970 and 1972 in IN, IL and MD. Taught early in career at a minor seminary in Lenox, MA. Worked at Notre Dame High School in Riverside, CA 1980-1983. Became Navy chaplain in 1984. San Bernardino diocese aware of allegations in 1987. Reported to U.S. Navy in 1988 and to police in 2002. Sentenced by Vatican to Prayer and Penance. Per the diocese's list updated in 5/2021, Kurilec is deceased. Died in FL in 9/2019.

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Fr. Peter H. Luque

Ordained: 1962
Status: Sued

Died: 04/21/2013
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Monsignor. Placed on leave in 4/02 due to old allegations of sexual abuse. Criminally in charged in 04/03 with sexually assaulting two teenage boys in the 1960s. Luque's name included on a list of 20 priests turned over to police in 4/02. Other accuser later came forward. Criminal charges dismissed in 7/03 after Supreme Court ruling. Civil suit filed in 12/03. Name included in list released by San Diego diocese in 3/07. Died in 2013.

Assignments:

Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07

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Fr. Peter McCormick

Order: sP
Ordained: 1970
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

First named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 10/18. Assigned to Sacred Heart parish 1984-2000. Admitted to "sexual acts" with a juvenile while at Sacred Heart. Per diocesan records, McCormick abused a boy at a church near L.A. in 1990, starting when the boy was age 13 and into the boy's adulthood. The diocese received the allegations in 2000 and removed McCormick from ministry. Diocesan officials contacted law enforcement two years later.

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Fr. Howard Melzer

Order: SCJ
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 04/11/2009
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

First named publicly as accused on the San Bernardino diocese's list 10/9/18. Diocese noted to have become aware of allegations 10/17/93 of abuse 1976-80. Reported to Order. Melzer was assigned during that time to St. Matthew's in Corona. Died 4/11/09.

Sources:

Diocese of San Bernardino list 10.09.18

Fr. Paul Nguyen

Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Ordained in Oslo, Norway. Vietnam native. To Rome 1989, then San Bernardino, CA. Resigned as parish pastor 09/93 after accused of sexual misconduct with minor in 01/93. Placed on leave. Police began an investigation, which was soon dropped. Went to Helsinki, Finland diocese. To Sweden 2003, worked with Vietnamese Mission. Returned to Norway 8/04, then to the U.S. in 2005, per bio on "Den katolske kirke" website. On San Bernardino diocese's list 10/9/18.

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Fr. Joseph R. Nunez

Ordained: 1922
Status: Sued

Died: 01/23/1968
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Monsignor. Ordained for the Diocese of Zacatecas, Mexico. Moved to San Diego CA in 1926. Returned to Mexico 1929-1932, then back to San Diego, where he was incardinated in 1937. Assigned to a San Bernardino CA parish 1939 until his death in 1968. Accused in a 12/2003 lawsuit of molesting a boy, age 12, at a San Bernardino Catholic School in 1956-1957. The boy allegedly told another priest, who did nothing to stop the abuse. Personnel file released by the Diocese of San Diego 10/25/2010.

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Fr. Louis G. Perreault

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1962
Status: Sued

Died: 05/15/2020
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Worked in Phoenix, AZ (HS teacher 1963-71); Lake Charles, LA (parish priest/pastor); Hemet CA (parish priest/pastor 1986-2000); and Henderson NV (hospital chaplain 2000-08). First named publicly as accused on the San Bernardino diocese's list 11/17/18. It notes the diocese was made aware in 9/11 of alleged abuse occurring 1990-92, while assigned to Our Lady of the Valley in Hemet. Reported to police in 9/11. Perrault was retired without faculties in San Bernardino. On Lake Charles LA list 4/11/19 (spelled Perrault). Suit filed 12/19 under the CA Child Victims Act claiming abuse of a boy, ages 13-15, in the early 1990s. Died 5/15/20. Per his obituary, Perreault moved in 2012 to the Spiritans' Libermann Hall in Bethel Park PA, serving as Superior from 2015.

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Fr. Esteban Trujillo

Donate Photo

Order: OSA
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

Visiting priest from Mexico. Worked in the San Bernardino Diocese beginning in mid-2001. Removed in 6/2002. Trujillo's Order told the Diocese in 7/02 that it had investigated and cleared Trujillo of an allegation of past sexual misconduct. Likely returned to Mexico. Name included on San Bernardino's list 10/9/2018, noting he had no faculties or assignments there and that he had been residing in the area with his family. Abuse allegedly took place in Mexico in 1998 and 2001.

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Fr. Bernard Waltos

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Died: 12/16/1992
Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino CA

First named publicly as accused on the San Bernardino diocese's list 10/9/2018. Assigned to Queen of Angels in Riverside 1981-1991. Abused alleged to have occurred 1984-1990. Waltos died 12/16/1992. Per the diocese, it was made aware of the allegations in 1994. Waltos was named in a 1992 lawsuit by a victim of Dennis Jost. (Jost was removed from a diaconate training program and later convicted of sexually abusing a boy.)

Assignments:

Waltos Personnel File

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