OHIO COUNTY (WV)
WTOV9
March 26, 2019
By Anthony Conn
A lawsuit has been filed against former Wheeling-Charleston Diocese Bishop Michael Bransfield, accusing him of exposing himself and inappropriately touching a young boy several times during his time as a bishop in the Diocese.
The civil suit was filed with the Ohio County Circuit Court on March 22.
The lawsuit’s plaintiff was a resident of St. Clairsville during the time period in question.
The complaint contains detailed accounts of Bransfield initiating unwanted sexual contact with a young male who was under his care.
It also alleges that Bransfield was known to be a heavy drinker who consumed one-half to one whole bottle of 80-proof liquor nightly and then engaged in grossly inappropriate behavior, including (but not limited to) making sexually-aggressive gestures, hugging, kissing, and fondling seminarians. According to the complaint, the Diocese covered the cost of the alcohol Bransfield consumed, which amounted to at least $20 per bottle.
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