Central California Priest Father Michael Kelly Sued Once Again For Sexual Abuse
It was only months ago, reports say Father Michael Kelly was named in a suit which settled for $3.75 million between Fr. Kelly and an abused victim; claiming he sexually abused a child in the early 2000s.
Now, here's a new lawsuit against the disgraced minister for more allegations of sexual abuse against children. The California Diocese of Stockton, members of the clergy and Fr. Kelly are being named in the suit. In specific, the names mentioned in the suit Bishop Steven Blaire, Monsignor Richard Ryan and Father Michael Kelly, a native of Tipperary in Ireland.
Reports state:
Fr. Kelly joined the Stockton diocese in 1973 after completing his seminary studies in Thurles, Co. Tipperary. He returned to Ireland after a civil jury had ruled that Fr. Kelly had indeed molested a young boy. Since it was a civil case, Kelly had broken no law by leaving the country.Fr. Kelly wrote a letter to Bishop Blaire of Stockton, stating his innocence and he says the allegations are affecting his health back then.
Unfortunately, now, more charges have been brought against the priest. The Complaint for Damages charges the defendants with ten counts, including sexual battery, fraud and intentional affliction of emotional distress, seeking punitive damages.
The plaintiff’s attorney Vince Finaldi hit the priest hard with facts that can not be refuted stating:
“Father Michael Kelly was known by the Diocese of Stockton to have allegations of sexual misconduct with minors lodged against him in the past.
“They ignored their statutory duty to report his crimes to law enforcement and placed him in a position of trust and authority as pastor of St. Andrew Parish. There he used his position to sexually assault my client, who was 12 years old at the time of his abuse.The complaint states that Father Michael Kelly:
“…had previously been accused, by several individuals, on multiple occasions dating back to the 1970’s of engaging in sexual misconduct with minor parishioners of the Diocese of Stockton…” and “…had been sent for psychological evaluation, counseling and treatment as a result of these transgressions.”A California licensed psychologist conducted an evaluation of Fr. Kelly in 1999 and concluded the Fr. Kelly should not minister to children alone or families with children.
This new complaint alleges the diocese, Bishop Blair, Monsignor Ryan and Fr. Kelly conspired to conceal the sexual misconduct which was targeting Fr. Kelly. It also alleged they wanted to protect their reputation while donations continued to be collected.
The Irish Central reported:
On August 6, 2012, a San Joaquin County jury unanimously found Michael Kelly had committed sexual battery against another victim, decorated Air Force officer Travis Trotter, when he was a minor in 1984-1985. The day after the verdict, Michael Kelly fled the United States to his native Ireland and the Diocese subsequently settled the case for $3.5 million.
John Manly, the attorney for Travis Trotter, said, “I call upon law enforcement to track Michael Kelly down and return him to California to answer for his horrible crimes against innocent children.Source
