Columbus priest accused of abuse in California

COLUMBUS (OH)
10TV.com (CBS affiliate in Columbus)

June 25, 2018

By Kevin Landers

A Columbus priest was directed to vacate the premises where he worked after an allegation of an assault surfaced.

According to the Catholic Diocese of Columbus, Reverend Pierre Albalaa was accused of the crime when he worked in California. The alleged the crime happened in 2004.

Albalaa worked as an administrator serving Sacred Heart Church in Columbus’ Italian Village. On June 19, the Diocese informed him to leave until the investigation was complete.

According to a statement released by the Diocese, “ The Eparchy of Los Angeles has verified that this is the first complaint of this nature received by them regarding Father Albalaa. Records provided to the Diocese of Columbus before his arrival here also verified that the took part in the Eparchy’s safe environment training and that he had a clean criminal background.”

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