A Roman Catholic diocese in Pennsylvania may face a legal battle as federal prosecutor is considering whether to file a racketeering lawsuit against them. State grand jury discovered that two ex-bishops concealed child sexual abuse for over a period of 40 years by more than 50 priests.
The Altoona-Johnstown diocese in Pennsylvania is on an ongoing federal probe over Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as Rico, US attorney David Hickton said on Friday, according to the Guardian. The prosecution of the child molester convict, Reverend Joseph Maurizio Jr prompted the investigation of the said pattern of criminal activity. The reverend was convicted in 2015 for molesting street children while on his Honduras missionary trips.
Hickton said, the statute of limitations has expired on criminal racketeering charges, however, in filing a Rico lawsuit, no time limit is required. The Republic reported, Hickton was considering on filing the said lawsuit. A Pennsylvania diocesan spokesman has not yet commented regarding the said legal action.
Boston attorney, Mitchell Garabedian, the representing attorney of the victims said, he approves of the Rico lawsuit. "I think the tactic is an approach that must be taken given the depth and scope of the supervisors enabling sexual abuse," Garabedian said. He added, many victims would like to witness the "complete admission of guilt".
According to Lancaster Online, the consideration to file a lawsuit was after a a grand jury report was released last month by state attorney general Kathleen Kane.It stated that an evidence and testimony was found, Diocese officials are covering up the child abuse in order to protect the institution image.
The Best Picture Oscar movie, "Spotlight" highlighted and detailed reporting of the Boston Globe on the sexual abuse scandal as well the concealment of the truth in Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. The said newspaper has published 600 stories regarding abusive priests, and the church's system of covering up the said abuse. Attorney General Kathleen Kane said, the said church's system of covering up is the same as the case at the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese.
