MINNESOTA
Pioneer Press
The turmoil at the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis comes on the heels of criminal charges and a civil petition filed by Ramsey County Attorney John Choi against the organization June 5. Here is what the archdiocese faces:
— Six gross misdemeanor criminal charges — three charges of contributing to the need for protection of minors and three charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
— Three claims in civil court based on the same allegations.
The criminal charges and civil petition stem from church leaders’ alleged failure to protect children from Curtis Wehmeyer, a former priest who remained in the ministry for years despite signs he was a risk. Wehmeyer was convicted of molesting two boys and faces prosecution in Wisconsin for molesting a third.
The criminal charges are against the archdiocese as a corporation and not against individuals. They would not bring jail time, and the archdiocese could face a maximum of $18,000 in fines if convicted. The investigation continues.
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