Prosecutor to Review Inappropriate Touching Allegations against Grand Blanc Priest

By Gary Ridley
MLive
May 27, 2014

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2014/05/prosecutor_to_review_inappropr.html

Holy Family Catholic church (File)

The police investigation into claims that a Grand Blanc priest inappropriately touched the hands and legs of two students will be been turned over to the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office for review.

Grand Blanc police Lt. Chris Rhind said Tuesday, May 27, that his department has finished its investigation into the allegations against Holy Family Catholic School priest Ken Coughlin and will forward the results to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton to determine if charges will be filed.

Leyton said his office will read the investigative reports before making any decision on whether to charge Coughlin. Leyton said there is no timetable for his office's decision.

Coughlin's attorney, Frank J. Manley, said his client has done nothing inappropriate.

"We remain confident that after the prosecutor reviews the case, Father Coughlin will be cleared of any wrongdoing," Manley said.

Coughlin was put on administrative leave in early May after the allegations surfaced.

Michael Diebold, director of communications for the Diocese of Lansing, said Coughlin remains on leave and that the diocese has not been updated by Grand Blanc police on the status of the case.

According to a letter from the school written by Father Jonathan Perrotta posted on the school's website, the alleged incident happened nearly a month ago at a school assembly. Perrotta will serve as temporary administrator while the investigation is completed, the letter said.

According to his bio on Holy Family's website, Coughlin, 53, had been with the church since 2007. He has a degree in packaging from Michigan State University and completed pre-theology at a seminary in Minnesota.

He received a Master's in theology at St. John Seminary in Plymouth in 1990, his bio says.