94-year-old priest from La Crosse to be tried next year for sexual assault

By Brad Williams
WIZM Radio
November 20, 2019

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A Catholic monsignor from La Crosse is scheduled to go on trial next year on a 4th-degree sexual assault charge. 

A trial date of April 17th has been set for Bernard McGarty, who’s accused of trying to pay a woman for sex outside the La Crosse Public Library. 

McGarty will turn 95 in January. 

He entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ back in June.

Besides allegedly offering a woman money for sex, McGarty is accused of putting the woman’s hand on his genitals. 

Police say the incident happened earlier this year, on a park bench outside the library on Main Street. 

The monsignor was placed on leave by the La Crosse Diocese after he was charged.