Former Stoneham priest named in settlement

By Rich Tenorio
Wicked Local Stoneham
March 30, 2016

http://stoneham.wickedlocal.com/article/20160330/NEWS/160339414

STONEHAM

A man who alleged he was sexually abused by a former Stoneham priest was one of seven people who was part of a settlement with the Archdiocese of Boston.

“The world is a safer place for children,” said attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who announced the settlement between the archdiocese and individuals who said they were sexually abused by priests.

In the 10 total settlements and a combined amount of $778,500, reported on Monday, the archdiocese agreed to provide money and counseling for the seven individuals, one of whom said that now-defrocked Rev. Richard T. Coughlin abused him over a five-year period, from 1957 to 1962.

The individual is a male who is approximately 68 years old.

At the time of the alleged abuse, Father Coughlin was affiliated with St. Patrick’s Church in Stoneham and belonged to the Archdiocese of Boston.

Garabedian said that the alleged abuse took place in locations in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York, including a cottage in Alton Bay, N.H.; a hotel in Alton Bay; a New York City hotel; Lake George in New York state; a cottage in Falmouth; and Father Coughlin’s car.

“One has to wonder where the supervisors were for Father Coughlin, why there was not proper supervision for Father Coughlin,” Garabedian said.

Garabedian's efforts on behalf of clergy sexual abuse victims were a central component of the Academy Award-winning 2015 "Spotlight," which dramatized the Boston Globe's investigation into years of abuse by priests and alleged cover-up by the Archdiocese.