D.A. Demanding Evidence from Catholic Cardinal

By Fred Jackson
May 17, 2002

(AgapePress) - The Los Angeles County district attorney is threatening the Roman Catholic cardinal in the area with a grand jury investigation unless the archdiocese surrenders all documents related to the alleged sexual abuse of children.

Steve Cooley issued the warning yesterday, saying he wants all evidence the diocese has related to child molestation by priests. Cooley says he has informed Cardinal Roger Mahoney that he has yet to receive any written information from the dioceses.

Cardinal Mahoney has responded, saying he has been cooperating with authorities and looks forward to resolving any misunderstandings.

Cooley's demands for all the evidence came after an LA Times story this week which said Mahoney knew about alleged molestation by a now-retired priest as early as 1986, but failed to inform police.

The Times reported that Michael Baker continued to have access to children over the next 14 years while he was assigned to nine different parishes in the area. He was quietly asked to retire about a year-and-a-half ago.

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