CALIFORNIA
Modesto Bee
Bee Staff Reports
A lawsuit has been filed alleging sexual harassment and retaliation by a Diocese of Stockton priest who served at least several years at St. Anthony’s in Manteca.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in San Joaquin County Superior Court by Irvine-based law firm Manly, Stewart & Finaldi. It alleges that on July 26, Monsignor McGovern sent sexually explicit photographs to the victim, a pool maintenance contractor, then terminated his employment after the victim reported the incident.
“This is a classic case of sexual harassment and retaliation,” said the alleged victim’s attorney John Manly in a news release. “Monsignor McGovern texted a graphic photograph of his naked genitalia to my client, then terminated his employment after my client reported the lewd photo to the police.”
Friday, the diocese’s director of communications, Sister Terry Davis, issued a brief statement: “Today the Diocese of Stockton learned for the first time of employment related allegations against Monsignor Lawrence McGovern, the Pastor of Presentation Parish in Stockton. In accordance with the Canon Law of the Church, Bishop Stephen Blaire has placed Monsignor McGovern on administrative leave pending a full and complete investigation.”
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