BishopAccountability.org
	Accused Priest to Shun Any Plea Deal By Lawn Griffiths East Valley Tribune [Phoenix AZ] December 6, 2005 Dale Fushek Monsignor Dale Fushek expects to face his seven accusers in separate trials and will not plea bargain any of the 10 sexual misconduct charges against him, his attorney said Monday. "He will not plead guilty to anything," attorney Michael Manning said. "He can't afford to do a plea agreement, even with all sorts of assurances of no time and no fines. No priest can afford to plea bargain anything like this where they feel they are innocent because, if they do, their careers are ruined." "We'll beat them," Manning said. "Yes, the trials will be ugly, but there is no choice. We have to try each one of them." Fushek, 53, is accused of using his "relationship of trust to perform criminal acts, including, but not limited to, sexual activities, improper sexual discussions and physical contact upon vulnerable minor and adult victims," according a statement by Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas. The alleged crimes happened between 1984 and 1994 while Fushek was pastor of St. Timothy's Catholic Community in Mesa and at the helm of the international Life Teen program for Catholic youth, which he co-founded. Fushek, 53, was scheduled to be arraigned today in South Mesa/Gilbert Justice Court on five counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, three counts of assault, and two counts of indecent exposure. All are misdemeanors. But on Monday, his attorney filed paperwork so Fushek doesn't have to appear, and filed innocent pleas to all counts. "Under the rules, we don't have to appear," Manning said. Pending approval by Justice of the Peace Samuel Goodman, the cases will move to pretrial conferences, a court official said. Thomas, who announced the charges against Fushek on Nov. 21, has said his office continues to investigate complaints against Fushek. Fushek also founded the Paz de Cristo homeless program, and coordinated the Mass for John Paul II's visit to the Valley in 1987 and Mother Teresa's visit in 1989. He resigned from diocesan roles in April, effective June 30, and is on a paid leave of absence. He was ordered to remain in his Phoenix home under an electronic monitoring program, surrender his passport, and have no contact with anyone under 18.
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