Former Somerville priest arraigned on molestation charges

SOMERVILLE (MA)
Wicked Local Somerville

By Auditi Guha
Wicked Local Somerville

Posted Sep 10, 2012 @ 12:27 PM

Somerville —

Former priest of St. James Episcopal Church in Somerville, Rev. Paul A. LaCharite was issued a $10,000 bail Monday morning at his arraignment for child abuse charges in Somerville District Court and denies the charges.

“Father LaCharite is innocent of these charges,” said his defense attorney David Meier to reporters outside the courthouse at 11:45 a.m. as they left. “He is an honest and decent man and he is dedicated to his church and congregation.”

LaCharite, 65, is currently affiliated with the Old North Church in Boston and was arrested Friday on on one count of assault to rape a child under 14 and three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child.

“He’s having a very difficult time,” Meier said. “We intend to vigorously defend these charges.”

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