Charged, retired priest says he was ‘already seeking treatment’

WISCONSIN
Fox 11

[with video]

BY ANDREW LACOMBE, FOX 11 NEWS FRIDAY, APRIL 29TH 2016

ALLOUEZ (WLUK) — A volunteer with a support group for people abused by priests is raising questions after Rev. Richard Thomas, a retired Diocese of Green Bay priest, was charged Thursday for allegedly exposing himself four times last month to a 16-year-old boy when the boy was walking to school.

Thomas was living in Grellinger Hall, a home for retired priests in Allouez.

According to the criminal complaint, Thomas told investigators at the time of his arrest that “he is already seeking treatment.”

“Why was he already in it if this was his first experience with some kind of sexual impropriety?” asked Alice Hodek.

Hodek is the Green Bay coordinator the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP).

“I’d like to know if there have been allegations against him before,” said Hodek.

In a statement, the diocese says it is fully cooperating in the investigation.

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