Former deacon arrested on rape charge bonds out of New Orleans jail

By Jennifer Crockett
WDSU-TV
September 22, 2019

https://www.wdsu.com/article/former-deacon-arrested-on-rape-charge-bonds-out-of-new-orleans-jail/29176205

A former deacon in New Orleans who was arrested and charged with first-degree rape Friday has been released from jail on a $40,000 bond.

George Brignac posted bond Sunday morning and was released, according to court records. The records show that Brignac is also petitioning the court to lower his bond.

Brignac was the center of a WDSU Investigates piece regarding a settlement with a victim who claimed Brignac assaulted him in the 1980s. The alleged abuse happened when the man, who's now in his 40s, was an altar boy at the church in the late '70s and early '80s. The man alleges Brignac raped him.

Brignac was a deacon at the church and taught at Catholic schools in Jefferson Parish. The archdiocese said Brignac was removed from his duties in the late '80s.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued the following statement regarding Brignac's arrest:
“We just learned of the arrest of George Brignac. We too seek truth and justice and as always, we pledge our full cooperation in the law enforcement investigation.”

Brignac is scheduled to be back in Orleans Criminal District Court on Sept. 30 for a bond reduction hearing.