Giuliani Defends, Employs Priest Accused of Molesting Teens

Giuliani Defends, Employs Priest Accused of Molesting Teens

abcnews.go.com

Presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani hired a Catholic priest to work in his consulting firm months after the priest was accused of sexually molesting two former students and an altar boy and told by the church to stop performing his priestly duties.
The priest, Monsignor Alan Placa, a longtime friend of Giuliani and the priest who officiated at his second wedding to Donna Hanover, continues to work at Giuliani Partners in New York, to the outrage of some of his accusers and victims' groups.

(visit the link for the full news article)

The story also has an ABC news video piece which questions the presidential candidates defense of the accused priest.
We know that priests have molested and sexually abused children in their positions of power, but is Giuliani so arrogant that he believes this does not matter?
The priest was known as priest F during a hearing, and one of the alleged victims named him as Placa. Priest F was seen to be a determined, careful, repeat sexual offender against young boys according to the story.
Even this will probably be commended by some as an act of loyalty to a friend, as Giuliani referred to it.

abcnews.go.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

PATHETIC!!! I was going to vote for Guiliani if he received the nomination, well time to find a new candidate to back

Wow. I find this very disturbing.

I have always liked him. Some things im willing to tollerate as I dont believe there are any perfect people/candidates, but nothing like this.

[edit on 24-10-2007 by greeneyedleo]

[edit on 24-10-2007 by greeneyedleo]

First of all, the man is just ACCUSED. He hasn't been found guilty of anything.

Secondly, the man is Guiliani's long time friend of 39 years. I suppose if I were in his shoes I'd stick by my friend too if I knew him well enough to feel that he wasn't guilty.

"I know the man; I know who he is, so I support him," Giuliani said. "We give some of the worst people in our society the presumption of innocence and benefit of the doubt," he said. "And, of course, I'm going to give that to one of my closest friends."

Originally posted by Jadette
First of all, the man is just ACCUSED. He hasn't been found guilty of anything.

Secondly, the man is Guiliani's long time friend of 39 years. I suppose if I were in his shoes I'd stick by my friend too if I knew him well enough to feel that he wasn't guilty.

You do make a very good point that I overlooked, that he was just accused, not found guilty. I guess its just hard for me to swallow...when it involves something of this nature.

reply to post by Jadette


Well, it seems it's a bit more than just accused;

The grand jury report concluded that a Priest F, who Tollner says is Placa, abused the boys sexually "again and again and again."

"Priest F was cautious, but relentless in his pursuit of victims. He fondled boys over their clothes, usually in his office," the report said.

The report concluded that Priest F, and several other priests under investigation from the same Long Island, N.Y. diocese, could not be prosecuted because the statute of limitations had expired.

source

and

In addition to the allegations that Priest F was personally involved in the sexual abuse, the grand jury also said that Priest F became instrumental in a church policy that used "deception and intimidation" to keep the church scandal quiet.

Placa served as a lawyer for the diocese in dealing with allegations of abuse against other priests and, according to the grand jury report, claimed he had saved the church hundreds of thousands of dollars in his handling of possible litigation.

source

Still appear as innocent does he?

He's only accused and not prosecuted because of the ridiculous statute of limitations - that's the only reason it didn't go further.

Originally posted by budski
abcnews.go.com

the priest who officiated at his second wedding to Donna Hanover

Forgive my ignorance on the Roman Catholic Church. I thought divorce was still a sin? How can a priest preside over someone's second marriage if it is?

As for the priest. I don't know many innocent people who get accused of child molestation. But, people are right. He hasn't been proven guilty. Just like Guilianni hasn't been proven the traitor that he is IMO. Still doesn't mean I'll vote for him.

Originally posted by Griff
Forgive my ignorance on the Roman Catholic Church. I thought divorce was still a sin? How can a priest preside over someone's second marriage if it is?

You get previous marriages annuled. It's kind of like a mulligan for a golfer.

reply to post by Griff


Read my post just above yours - it seems the statute of limitations was in effect.

Yeah, I read that after I posted. I wonder how long the statute of limitations is on 9/11? Will they finally disclose everything then?

Sorry to be off topic. Just thinking aloud.

reply to post by Griff


There's no statute of limitations on murder.

reply to post by sp00n1


and besides - that's not what the thread is about

reply to post by budski


I don't think thee should be a statue of limitations on child sex abuse. It's something that clearly leaves scars for life on the victims.

Regardless, Giuliani has absolutely no business defending this guy who is clearly guilty of child molestation. I'd hate to see what types of crooks giuliani pardons if he becomes president. This whole incident flies in the face of all of giuliani's supposed zero tolerance policies on child internet porn.

I really hope this takes him out of the race.

I've looked up a few stories about his associates and it makes for interesting reading mobsters
illegal drug users and hypocrites
should it really be a surprise that he also has a peado priest on the payroll?

I only mentioned 9/11 because Guilliani is a huge player in that fiasco. Again, I said sorry to be off topic.

On topic: I agree. What's with a statute of limitations on child molestation? Is there one for rape also? Furthermore, it's my view that for any federal offense there should be none. It may be that way. I also don't know much about law.