LOUISIANA
KATC
[with video]
A former priest, living in Duson, is now accused of sexually abusing children while working for the church. 56-year-old Mark Broussard is charged with two counts of aggravated rape and 52 counts of sexual battery, after the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office said a 34-year-old man came forward and accused the former priest of sexual abuse. The man said he was sexually abused for three years, between 1986 and 1989, while Broussard was a priest at St. Henry Catholic Church in Lake Charles.
When Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Deputies started investigating the man’s accusations, deputies said documents were also located in Broussard’s personnel file with the diocese in which Broussard indicated sexual contact with at least four other boys.
The Diocese of Lake Charles would not answer KATC’s questions about if it was aware of the documents, and if so, why the accusations were not reported to law enforcement.
Morris LeBleu with the Diocese would only state that they received the allegations in December 2011 and “immediately reported the allegations to the District Attorney and Sheriff. The Diocese of Lake Charles has and will continue to cooperate fully with all civil authorities. In light of the ongoing proceedings, the Diocese will have no further comment on this matter.”
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