MICHIGAN
Central Michigan Life
By Sydney Smith
For nearly two years, St. Mary’s University Parish Priest Denis Heames asked a Central Michigan University student to keep his sexual relationship with her a secret, according to a lawsuit filed in Isabella County’s 21st Circuit Court.
Senior Megan Winans is asking the court to consider whether she was abused by Heames, who was removed from St. Mary’s in June, during her work as a “media intern” at the church from 2012 to 2014. A civil lawsuit was filed Jan. 14 claiming battery, defamation, breach of fidiciary duty, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent supervision and retention.
Winans is suing for economic losses equivalent to $25,000 for each count and any other costs she may be entitled to.
Heames, who now resides in Canada according to the documents, was placed on leave for “boundary violations.” No other specific details were given in a press release from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw other than to point out the violations had nothing to do with minors.
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