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  Lawsuit Links Accused Priests

By Sam Hemingway
Burlington Free Press [Vermont]
March 19, 2007

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070319/NEWS/70319012

Two former priests who were targets in child sexual abuse lawsuits that resulted in out-of-court settlements with the state's Roman Catholic diocese are accused of molesting the same Montpelier altar boy in the mid-1970s, a new lawsuit filed in Chittenden County Superior Court alleges.

Edward Paquette and Alfred Willis allegedly molested the youth during their time as parish priests at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Montpelier. Paquette worked at the church between 1974 and 1976. Willis was there between 1976 and 1978.

Paquette, who now lives in Westfield, Mass., is named in 17 pending lawsuits claiming he molested boys while serving as a priest in Montpelier and Burlington. The diocese settled with an 18th alleged victim of his in 2006 for $965,000.

Willis, who now lives in Leesburg, Va., is named in two other pending lawsuits claiming he molested boys while serving as a priest in Burlington and Milton. The diocese settled with an alleged 3rd victim of his in 2004 for $170,000.

Paquette was suspended from priestly duties by the diocese in 1978 after it received complaints about his conduct with altar boys. Willis was similarly suspended by the diocese in 1980 after parents complained about his conduct.

 
 

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