Lawsuit Seeks Names of Kansas City-st. Joseph Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse
By Bill Grady
Another lawsuit is filed against the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese. The plaintiff is listed as "John Doe" in official court documents, though his real name is Kevin Smith. The 54-year-old claims he was sexually abused by Father Thomas Reardon while he attended St. Gabriel's school at 4737 N. Cleveland Ave. in Kansas City. Smith said he was 13 at the time of the abuse. The Catholic parish that includes St. Gabriel is also named in the lawsuit. "I believe, in my opinion, he's a threat," said Smith, who would like to see Reardon go to prison for the rest of his life. Smith's lawsuit seeks the release of names of those who have been investigated or reassigned because of sexual abuse allegations. A large-scale independent investigation, like the one that recently took place in Pennsylvania, would be the best course of action, said Rebecca Randles, Smith's attorney. Reardon, who was ordained in 1967, was accused in previous court filings of serving alcohol to teenage boys, allowing them privileges, including driving their cars, and taking part in sexual activity around them.
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