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	Listecki Defends Handling of Sex Assault Case LaCrosse Tribune February 18, 2010 http://www.lacrossetribune.com/news/local/state-and-regional/article_c84af71a-1c4c-11df-a9e5-001cc4c03286.html MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki is defending how he handled a sexual assault allegation while he served as bishop in the La Crosse Diocese. Listecki said he had no choice but to side with the priest accused of assaulting a woman the priest was counseling because there was no corroborating evidence against him. The woman then went to police, leading to the Rev. Edmund Donkor-Baine recently being charged with fourth-degree sexual assault. Listecki made his remarks to reporters after a midday appearance Tuesday at Marquette University Law School. The woman reported the incident to diocese administrator Monsignor Richard Gilles in September and met with diocesan attorney Jim Birnbaum, according to La Crosse police. The diocese did investigate the report, Birnbaum said. Donkor-Baine, a Ghana resident who came to the U.S. for medical care, denied the offense. A Dec. 22 letter from Listecki to the woman stated he "cannot conclusively determine what happened." A pre-trial conference for Donkor-Baine is set for Feb. 26. The misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of nine months in jail.
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