3 Former Palma High Employees Accused of Sexual Abuse

By Susanne Brunner
KION
February 28, 2012

http://www.kionrightnow.com/story/17031599/3-former-palma-high-employees-accused-of-sexual-abuse

SALINAS, Calif. -- Former employees of a Central Coast private school are accused of sexual abuse. On Monday, demonstrators rallied outside Palma High School in hopes of bringing the accusations to light.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), held pictures of a former priest and two former brothers who served at Palma high sometime between 1964 and 1985. They said Father Gerald Funcheon, Br. Jerome Heustis, and Br. Robert Brouilette all have sexual allegations leveled against them, and wanted the Salinas community aware of it.

"Our goal is to reach out to alumni, our goal is to reach out to people who live in the Salinas Valley who did attend school here and who may have been abused," said Joelle Casteix with SNAP.

This all stems from a bankruptcy filed in 2011 by The Christian Brothers' Institute and The Christian Brothers of Ireland, Inc., an organization that officials say manages schools like Palma High. Central Coast News also found out the bankruptcy was in response to sexual abuse claims. A lawyer representing a former Palma High student said, the bankruptcy is what triggered his client to come forward.

"He was abused at school and throughout the trip, and a good portion of the abuse was over state lines in Oregon as well," said Mike Reck, victim's attorney.

Attorney Mike Reck said his client recently came forward, alleging Father Funcheon sexually abused him back in the mid-80s. He claims it happened multiple times at school and during a ski trip in Oregon.

We talked to one parent about the allegations, "As a parent I'm always concerned. But I know being an employee here I know that my son is safe at this school," said George Garybay

In a written statement, Palma High School's Brother Dunne said, "Naturally, I am saddened and angered to hear any reports or allegations of the abuse of children by any adults, but particularly by religious men whom they trusted and revered. Importantly, none of our staff, none of the Brothers serving this school are connected to these legal issues."

We asked the Diocese of Monterey if they knew about the former employee's background. It said when approving the three, it did check with their provincial and all were in good standing.

Contact: Susannebrunner@kionrightnow.com