CALIFORNIA
News-Sentinel
Friday, August 12, 2016 1
By Christina Cornejo/News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Allegations of sexual harassment have surfaced against Monsignor Lawrence McGovern, the pastor of Presentation Catholic Parish in Stockton.
Attorneys at Manly, Stewart and Finaldi, a Southern California law firm, filed suit on Thursday in San Joaquin County Superior Court on behalf of a victim who alleges that McGovern sent sexually explicit pictures to him. The victim was working as a pool maintenance contractor for the pastor and also alleges that McGovern ended the victim’s employment in retaliation for reporting the behavior to police.
After he received the photograph, attorneys said the victim asked why McGovern texted him a graphic photograph of his naked genitalia, pointing out that he assumed the priest was celibate. McGovern allegedly responded that “celibate means not married,” according to victim.
“This would be a clear violation of the law by any employer, but it is even more disturbing when committed by a member of the clergy,” said attorney John Manly.
Since hearing about the allegations for the first time on Friday, the Diocese of Stockton announced that Bishop Stephen Blaire has placed McGovern on administrative leave pending a full and complete investigation.
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