94-year-old priest from La Crosse to be tried next year for sexual assault

LACROSSE (WI)
WIZM Radio

Nov. 19, 2019

By Brad Williams

A Catholic monsignor from La Crosse is scheduled to go on trial next year on a 4th-degree sexual assault charge.

A trial date of April 17th has been set for Bernard McGarty, who’s accused of trying to pay a woman for sex outside the La Crosse Public Library.

McGarty will turn 95 in January.

He entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ back in June.

Besides allegedly offering a woman money for sex, McGarty is accused of putting the woman’s hand on his genitals.

Police say the incident happened earlier this year, on a park bench outside the library on Main Street.

The monsignor was placed on leave by the La Crosse Diocese after he was charged.

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