CALIFORNIA
PRNewswire
STOCKTON, Calif., Aug. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Attorneys representing a victim of alleged sexual harassment and retaliation by the Pastor of a Stockton Roman Catholic parish filed suit yesterday in San Joaquin County Superior Court.
The suit alleges that on July 26, 2016, Monsignor Larry 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 victim’s attorney John Manly. “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. 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 Manly.
After receiving the photograph, the victim asked him why he sent it, pointing out, “I thought you were celibate, Monsignor,” to which Monsignor McGovern replied with a statement that is directly contrary to Catholic theology, stating, “celibate means not married…”
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