NEVADA
SNAP Wisconsin
October 11, 2012
Second landmark fraud trial against Green Bay Diocese underway in Nevada
Case involves notorious sex predator priest Fr. John Patrick Feeney
Las Vegas jury likely to examine new evidence not seen during landmark Wisconsin trial
Statement by John Pilmaier, SNAP Wisconsin Director
CONTACT: 414.336.8575
The Diocese of Green Bay is on trial this week in Las Vegas Nevada charged with negligence and fraud. This is the second time this year that the Green Bay diocese will appear in court charged with knowingly endangering children by exposing them to their most notorious sex offending priest, Fr. John Patrick Feeney.
The civil trial, which began this week, originated with a lawsuit filed in 2008 by John Doe 119 who reports that he was sexually assaulted as a 13 year old boy by Fr. Feeney when he was a student at St. Francis de Sales parish in Las Vegas. The suit which charges the Green Bay Catholic Diocese with fraud and negligence also names the Bishop of Las Vegas, the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas and John Patrick Feeney as defendants.
Church officials in Green Bay Wisconsin attempted to have Doe’s lawsuit thrown out of court due to the statutes of limitations, however in 2010 the Nevada Supreme Court, in a landmark decision, ruled that Doe’s case could proceed.
Attorneys for the victim are expected to demonstrate in court this week that the Green Bay Diocese was aware that Fr. Feeney was a dangerous sexual predator long before they allowed him to function as a priest in Las Vegas.
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