Catholic League Seeks Probe Of Philly DA

A series of legal problems attendant to a civil suit against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has led Catholic League President Bill Donohue to call for an official investigation into the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office.

On May 9, Donohue sent a letter by priority mail to Anthony P. Sodroski, Disciplinary Counsel-in-Charge of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, requesting an investigation into the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office.

Donohue said, “What needs to be settled is whether someone from the office of DA Seth Williams will be receiving a referral fee for his work in connection with the ‘Billy Doe’ civil suit against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia [Billy Doe v. Archdiocese of Philadelphia, et al., No. 110702430 (Phila. Co. Ct. of Common Pleas)].”

Enclosed in the mailing was a copy of the transcript that quotes an exchange between alleged victim “Billy Doe” and attorney Michael J. McGovern. The discussion centers on the DA’s office securing an attorney for “Doe.”

Donohue ended his letter by noting the following: “You should know that we are pursuing other avenues of redress in this case. Never in my 20 years as president of the Catholic League have I seen a more-egregious series of legal misconduct stemming from one case. All I am asking from you is cooperation in this particular matter.”

Donahue this week stated, “The Catholic League is not walking away from this issue. From what I have learned from the crackerjack reporting by Ralph Cipriano, the public has been kept in the dark on many aspects of what really happened to three Catholic priests and one Catholic layman.”

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