CALIFORNIA
Sys-Con Media
STOCKTON, Calif., Nov. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Another lawsuit was filed in San Joaquin County, California today against the Diocese of Stockton, Bishop Steven Blaire, Monsignor Richard Ryan and Father Michael Kelly by a man claiming that Kelly sexually abused him as a child in the early 2000’s. This is the second victim of Father Michael Kelly to file suit after a jury unanimously found him guilty of sexually assaulting Travis Trotter earlier this year.
The Complaint for Damages charges the defendants with ten counts, including sexual battery, fraud and intentional affliction of emotional distress, seeking punitive damages.
Plaintiff’s attorney Vince Finaldi from the law firm Manly and Stewart said, “Father Michael Kelly was known to have sexual misconduct issues. Despite this knowledge, Father Kelly was placed in a position of trust and authority as pastor of St. Andrew Parish and Mokelumne Hill Parish. There he used his position to sexually assault my client, who was 10 years old at the time of his abuse. Had the Diocese of Stockton acted prudently by removing Fr. Kelly from ministry, he would never have had the opportunity to sexually abuse my client.”
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