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	Report: Church Panel Began Reviewing Case in 2002 CBS 4 May 5, 2006 http://cbs4denver.com/local/local_story_125090647.html (AP) Pueblo, Colo. A sexual misconduct board of the Catholic Church began reviewing a high school teacher's case about three years before church officials have said they learned of molestation allegations against him, The Pueblo Chieftain reported Thursday. The newspaper said it obtained letters to and from Pueblo Diocese officials indicating the panel took up the case of William Mueller, a former member of the Marianist order, in 2002. More than 15 lawsuits have been filed against the diocese and the order, claiming Mueller sedated and molested students when he taught at the church-run Roncalli High School from 1966 to 1971. The lawsuits allege the diocese and the order did not protect the students. Mueller, 67, voluntarily left the Marianist order in 1986 and now lives in San Antonio. He has denied sexual misconduct. The diocese and the order also have denied wrongdoing in the way they handled Mueller's case. Church officials have said they first learned of the sexual abuse accusations in 2005. The Chieftain said a former Roncalli student wrote church officials in June 2002 saying Mueller had rendered him unconscious with chloroform but saying he had "no proof that (Mueller) sexually abused me while I was out." The newspaper did not identify the former student or say how it obtained the letters. Diocese Bishop Arthur Tafoya said in a statement Thursday that he referred the allegation to the diocese's Sexual Misconduct Review Board, which took up the issue in July 2002, and later reported it to the Marianist order. "The letter itself certainly disclosed concerns about Brother Mueller's behavior which I acted upon," he said. "The complainant was asked if there was any assistance that could be provided by the Diocese, and this offer was declined." Monsignor Mark Plewka, chancellor of the diocese, said the former student's letter contained no specific allegations of sexual misconduct. "We did what we thought was right at the time. What I want to state bluntly is that there was no attempt to cover up anything," Plewka told the newspaper. Tafoya said the church would continue to treat allegations of sexual abuse seriously. "I am committed to finding an appropriate resolution to these civil cases; based on the evidence, and not upon allegations, and will work constructively with all parties to bring reconciliation and healing to those who have been victims," he said.
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