LA clergy abuse suit delayed to consolidate cases
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Los Angeles judge has postponed the trial of a lawsuit involving a fugitive priest, possibly until next year, so that cases involving 11 alleged victims can be tried together.
Superior Court Judge Emilie Elias refused Tuesday to dismiss the lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles and retired Cardinal Roger Mahony.
She also denied a request by the archdiocese for a change of venue.
The lawsuit alleges Mahony and the archdiocese were negligent in allowing the Rev. Nicolas Aguilar Rivera to work in Los Angeles because they should have known he abused children.
The priest came to LA in 1987 after being severely beaten at his Mexican parish.
His bishop wrote Mahony to say there had been unfounded accusations of homosexuality involving him.
Police believe he molested up to 26 children during nine months in LA. Eleven have now filed lawsuits.
Aguilar Rivera fled to Mexico in 1988 to avoid prosecution and remains a fugitive.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
