Friday, June 04, 2010

Man files sex lawsuit against LA cardinal, priest

The younger brother of a man who helped put a Roman Catholic priest behind bars for sexual abuse has filed a lawsuit alleging he was also molested by the Rev. Michael Baker.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday against the Los Angeles archdiocese alleges that Baker began abusing the plaintiff in 1994, when he was 12, and continued abusing him for several years.

Court papers say the church knew in 1986 that Baker had abused children and should have done more to prevent further abuse, but instead allowed him to continue working as a priest.

Baker pleaded guilty in 2007 to molestation and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

He was removed from the priesthood in 2000.

Tod Tamberg, a spokesman for the archdiocese, says he has not seen the lawsuit.

SIC: MNCom