More Come Forward in Sexual Abuse Allegations against Priest

By Danielle Todesco
KOB
May 9, 2013

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s3027097.shtml

[with video]

[media release]

Six more men have come forward with lawsuits claiming they were sexually abused by a priest in New Mexico.

That makes ten lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Santa Fe over the same priest, Father Michael O'Brien.

The lawsuits detail similar stories. The men were all teenagers and say they were altar boys under Father O'Brien in the 1970's and 1980's. They say he sexually abused them multiple times, from fondling to rape. The victims say they have bottled up the emotional pain for decades.

Attorney Brad Hall says they believe officials in the Archdiocese knew about the abuse, and just kept moving Father O'Brien to different churches across the state.

"There seems to be a pattern. Father O'Brien moving from Estancia to Penasco to Taos to Vegas to Mora to Questa...about 2 years or so in every spot," Hall said.

Hall says the plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages and emotional help. He says it could be more than a year before the cases are resolved.