ERIE (PA)
Erie Times
March 26, 2019
Following the news conference with alleged clergy victim Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, the Diocese of Erie has released a statement of their own, saying the attorney “misspoke regarding the conduct of the Diocese”.
Their full statement is as follows:
As Attorney Mitchell Garabedian announced during a news conference this morning, the Diocese of Erie has settled all legal claims brought by a victim of David L. Poulson, the former priest who is now serving time for his crimes at SCI Camp Hill near Harrisburg. The Diocese of Erie stands behind the settlement in the interests of justice and recognizes the harms suffered by this victim. However, Mr. Garabedian repeatedly misspoke regarding the conduct of the diocese.
The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, bishop of Erie, has expressed his disappointment and surprise at the amount of misinformation in Mr. Garabedian’s comments. He failed to take into account much information that is publicly available. If what Mr. Garabedian alleges were true and complete, then Attorney General Shapiro would have prosecuted individuals beyond David Poulson.
Indeed, as publicly documented, both the district attorney and the attorney general involved in this case recognized the diocese’s full cooperation, noting that this victim’s report was handled properly, that the diocese’s efforts led to a successful prosecution and that the diocese’s “steps to prevent these horrors from happening again” are to be “commend[ed.]”
This case was thoroughly investigated under Pennsylvania law by trained law enforcement prosecutors and agents who subpoenaed documents and testimony. Per the settlement, signed by Mr. Garabedian, (attached), he was well aware that the Diocese of Erie:
1. had no knowledge of the case involving John Doe until Jan. 26, 2018;
2. immediately informed law enforcement and K&L Gates, its independent investigators; and
3. K&L Gates not only unearthed significant evidence corroborating the victim’s report but also communicated results of its investigation to both the diocese and law enforcement. As a direct result, the wrongdoer, Poulson, was convicted and is behind bars.
Mr. Garabedian emphasized that sorrow is not enough and that victims need to see action. Getting a sex offender put in prison is action. An immediate two-million-dollar pre-litigation settlement of the full amount requested by his client — and the dedication of millions more to a victims’ compensation fund currently underway — is action. Mr. Garabedian also appears to be inexplicably unaware of the following substantial measures taken by the diocese:
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