Amann Comments on Potential Church Cover up
Diane Marie Amann, a professor of law with special interests in criminal law and procedures, commented for a Los Angeles Times article on the potential cover up by Los Angeles Cardinal Mahony of potential incriminating documents related to how church officials handled sex-abuse accusations.
"If you managed to keep the crime secret along with others, you may be free from being prosecuted from the crime itself, but you may be prosecuted for conspiracy—the conspiracy of concealment," said Amann in the article, speaking in general terms.
The alleged cover up stems from a four-year legal battle between the Los Angeles Roman Catholic Diocese and 508 people who had filed suit over sexual abuse by priests. A settlement of $660 million was reached before the scheduled trial date of July 16, 2007, but confidential files on parishioner's complaints against priests who were left in the ministry were released during litigation, which may fuel criminal action against Mahony or his top officials.
Los Angeles Times/July 17, 2007
"If you managed to keep the crime secret along with others, you may be free from being prosecuted from the crime itself, but you may be prosecuted for conspiracy—the conspiracy of concealment," said Amann in the article, speaking in general terms.
The alleged cover up stems from a four-year legal battle between the Los Angeles Roman Catholic Diocese and 508 people who had filed suit over sexual abuse by priests. A settlement of $660 million was reached before the scheduled trial date of July 16, 2007, but confidential files on parishioner's complaints against priests who were left in the ministry were released during litigation, which may fuel criminal action against Mahony or his top officials.
Los Angeles Times/July 17, 2007