NEW JERSEY
The Record
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2013
BY JEFF GREEN
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark has hired Michael Critchley, a high-profile criminal defense lawyer, as prosecutors continue to investigate recent activities of a priest who confessed to molesting a 13-year-old boy more than a decade ago.
A spokesman for Archbishop John J. Myers on Wednesday confirmed that Critchley, a widely respected lawyer known for winning light sentences or outright acquittals in a string of high-profile criminal defenses, is representing the archdiocese for “additional legal help.”
Critics have besieged the archdiocese since revelations surfaced last week that the Rev. Michael Fugee attended several youth retreats and extended pilgrimages in apparent disregard of an agreement he and a representative of Myers signed in 2007 with Bergen County prosecutors barring any activities with children. The prosecutor’s office immediately opened a new investigation.
Jim Goodness, Myers’ spokesman, said Critchley will be assisting in the review of legal documents in the inquiry. He said he was not sure whether Critchley has spoken to prosecutors, or when or if he will.
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