Legal News

Monsignor Testifies as Grand Jury Probe of L.A. Diocese Steps Up

By Jennifer Forsyth

The on-going federal probe of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles of its conduct related to accusations of widespread sexual abuse of children by its clergy took a turn recently when the former vicar of clergy testified before a grand jury, the LA Times reports today. Click here for the story. Monsignor Richard Loomis’s responsibilities included overseeing sexual abuse cases against fellow priests, potentially making him a key witness if any cases should be brought by federal prosecutors.

The LAT, citing unnamed sources, reports that Loomis was given “use immunity,” meaning his grand jury testimony could not be used against him in a criminal trial, though the use immunity agreement would not protect him against statements made outside of his grand jury testimony.

The WSJ and LAT have previously repported that a grand jury had been investigating the archdiocese’s response to the molestation of children by priests within its parishes, though the LAT reports that Cardinal Roger Mahoney is not a target of the inquiry.

The LAT goes on to say: “Loomis testified at a civil deposition earlier this year that Mahony ordered him in 2000 not to contact police about allegations of sexual abuse by a priest. Loomis was testifying under questioning by civil attorney John C. Manly in a case involving the now-defrocked Rev. Michael Baker, who has since been convicted and sentenced to a 10-year prison term for molestation. Mahony has said Baker’s case “troubles” him the most and has publicly apologized for having allowed the priest to remain in the ministry.”

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on December 24, 2009 (boomark / email).