Attorney for Grand Blanc Priest Accused of Inappropriately Touching Two Students Says Client Will Be Vindicated

By David Harris
MLive
May 5, 2014

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2014/05/attorney_for_holy_family_pries.html

Holy Family Catholic church (File)

The attorney representing the priest under investigation of allegations he inappropriately touched the hands and legs of two students says people should not "rush to judgment" based on past cases.

Ken Coughlin, the priest at Holy Family Catholic School in Grand Blanc, is on administrative leave until the investigation is complete, according to a weekend statement from the Diocese of Lansing.

According to a letter from the school written by Father Jonathan Perrotta posted on the school's website, the alleged incident happened last week at a school assembly. Perrotta will serve as temporary administrator while the investigation is completed, the letter said.

There will be a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, May 5, for parishioners, according to the letter.

Attorney Frank J. Manley is representing Coughlin.

"We understand the sensitive nature of these types of cases, but ask that people not rush to judgment based on historical cases having nothing to do with Father Coughlin," Manley said. "We need people to keep an open mind and at the end of the process we expect Father Coughlin to be vindicated."

Manley said if any touching occurred it was done in an innocent manner.

"Protection of children is paramount to Father Coughlin," said Manley.

Grand Blanc police Detective Sgt. Bryan Byarski said more people have to be interviewed. Once the investigation is complete, he will turn it over to the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office to determine if charges are filed.

"(The investigation) is kind of in its infancy," he said.

The statement did not say when the allegations occurred. Byarski declined to get into details about the investigation, but said it is a difficult case for all involved.

Child Protective Services has also been notified, as required by state law, according to the diocese statement. On Monday, Diocese Spokesman Michael Diebold said he had nothing new to add to statement, noting that the diocese did not want to get in the way of the CPS investigation.

The school, the parish and the diocese are fully cooperating with the investigation and Coughlin will remain away from the parish on administrative leave until the investigation is finished, according to the diocese statement.

According to his bio on Holy Family's website, Coughlin, 53, had been with the church since 2007. He has a degree in packaging from Michigan State University and completed pre-theology at a seminary in Minnesota.

He received a Master's in theology at St. John Seminary in Plymouth in 1990, his bio says.