West Virginia Diocese Wants $792K From Disgraced Bishop Michael J. Bransfield
WHEELING, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia's Roman Catholic diocese wants a former bishop to pay it more than three-quarters of a million dollars after a series of alleged sexual and financial scandals.
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston Bishop Mark E. Brennan on Tuesday detailed a "plan of amends" presented to former Bishop Michael J. Bransfield at the request of Pope Francis.
The plan calls for Bransfield to pay the church $792,638 in financial restitution and apologize to those he's accused of sexually harassing and intimidating.
A church investigation earlier this year found sexual misconduct allegations against Bransfield to be credible and determined that he misused diocese funds on personal vacations, alcohol, and luxury goods.
Bransfield resigned last year and has previously denied wrongdoing. A voicemail left on a number listed for Bransfield in public records wasn't returned.
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