Lawyer: Hubbard probe 'dangerous'

Troy Record ^ | 3/9/04 | Robert Cristo

[Antoninus]

TROY - Investigators hired by the Albany Diocesan Review Board to look into allegations of sexual misconduct against Bishop Howard Hubbard refused to interview an elderly person who may have shed light on the death of Rev. John Minkler.

The interview was supposed to occur in Minkler's 11th-floor office at the Stratton Veterans Affairs Hospital in Albany, but private investigators representing Mary Jo White walked away from the table after realizing the elderly person wanted attorney John Aretakis in the room.

Minkler was found dead in his Watervliet home just days after signing an affidavit stating he did not write a letter that allegedly linked Hubbard to sexual relations with two other priests.

Aretakis' client requested anonymity, and asked to be identified only as an "elderly person." His client was called by investigators for the interview last Tuesday, according to Aretakis.

A videotape supplied by Aretakis shows the attorney and his client in the office with investigator Frank Citera and Rev. Sennen SanFratello, a priest at the Veterans Affairs Hospital, arguing with Aretakis over the legal ramifications of the attorney being in the room.

Citera called Aretakis' presence in the room "inappropriate" and a "conflict of interest," considering the lawyer has represented dozens of clients alleging sexual abuse against the diocese.

However, the investigator never presented any legal reason as to why Aretakis should be barred from the interview.

"He just wants to ask her a couple of questions. ... It's (having Aretakis in the room) creating an atmosphere that's putting her ill at ease," said SanFratello, who added, "we are trying to piece together" the investigation in the interests of Minkler. The video clearly shows the elderly client requesting that Aretakis remain in the room.

"There's nothing improper about my client wanting to bring a lawyer. ... People have legal rights and White and her private investigators have no power over me or the law," said Aretakis. "It's dangerous, because they want to work in secret.

"One of Minkler's closest friends is willing to answer all the questions, but they bullied her into speaking without the benefit of a lawyer present," he added. Officials from White's law firm, Debeuoise & Plimpton, would not comment on the investigator's interviewing tactics. White has maintained she will not speak to the media until the investigation is complete.

Leaders from the Albany Diocese did not return calls for comment.

Aretakis, meanwhile, reminded the public on Monday that White is a privately hired attorney in this case making more than $700 an hour, and not a representative on any federal level.

White was a former U.S attorney for the Southern District of New York who has investigated the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the prosecution of mobster John Gotti.

"There are a lot of elderly and not well-educated people who hear, 'I'm a former President Clinton, Bush appointee, now give me information,' and are going to get intimidated," said Aretakis. "It sounds more official, but they (White's team) have no right to question people without an attorney."

Timothy Sawicki, 44, who claims he was abused as a teenager in the 1970s by five Albany Diocese priests, said of the tape that it was "business as usual" in terms of the "weak" investigation carried out by the diocese.

Sawicki alleges that two local priests, who were put back into ministry over the weekend after a Diocesan Review Board investigation found them innocent, were among five priests who sexually abused him.

"It doesn't surprise me to see a parallel of what's going on now to the problems of all the other investigations," said Sawicki. "I'm dumbfounded and concerned by it."

[Antoninus]

The stank continues wafting out of Albany...

Lord Jesus, give us justice.

[Aliska]

Similar thread started here yesterday

[Antoninus]

In other news, Cardinal Egan in a recent visit to Albany assures us that, "the good bishop of Albany is a man we support, for whom we pray and, especially, do we pray for the people of God in the diocese of Albany."

Stirring words from the Cardinal.

And also, a bunch of newspapers across the country seem to have picked up the AP "puff" piece by Michael Gormley that was posted on FR last week about how Bishop Hubbard is "fighting back" against these charges. (Michael Gormley appears to moonlight as a writer for the "Gay City News", btw). Seems kind of odd for a regional story to get this much traction. Anyway, it might be a good indication of where the lavenders are most heavily entrenched in the regional media.

[Antoninus]

In other news, Cardinal Egan in a recent visit to Albany assures us that, "the good bishop of Albany is a man we support, for whom we pray and, especially, do we pray for the people of God in the diocese of Albany."

Stirring words from the Cardinal.

And also, a bunch of newspapers across the country seem to have picked up the AP "puff" piece by Michael Gormley that was posted on FR last week about how Bishop Hubbard is "fighting back" against these charges. (Michael Gormley appears to moonlight as a writer for the "Gay City News", btw). Seems kind of odd for a regional story to get this much traction. Anyway, it might be a good indication of where the lavenders are most heavily entrenched in the regional media.

[Antoninus]

hic-cup. I hate that.

[Antoninus]

Similar thread started here yesterday

D@rn it! Why didn't that show up when I searched for it? Should have known that NYer was on the case...

[Aliska]

Why didn't that show up when I searched for it?

The search leaves a lot to be desired sometimes. I just wanted to alert you so you could read the comments on that one and tie the two together. No biggie as far as I am concerned.

[Siobhan]

Isn't there info somewhere about Egan taking a vaction with Hubbard and Clark? Or was that just a rumor?

[dsc]

Yeah, dangerous to the coverup.

[m4629]

Egan said of the investigation into the allegations against Hubbard. "So I am going to join you and wait to find out just exactly what the outcome is.

Your Eminence. Surely you could do better than that. Why not give your own list of questions of Hubbard to MJ and have her look into it and then join us to wait for the outcome. After all, MJ has set up a toll free number for public input if you don't feel like getting grilled by her investigator.

We are watching you too, Egan.

[NYer]

(Michael Gormley appears to moonlight as a writer for the "Gay City News", btw). Seems kind of odd for a regional story to get this much traction. Anyway, it might be a good indication of where the lavenders are most heavily entrenched in the regional media.

In the March 4 edition of The Wanderer, Paul Likoudis has a piece entitled "Guerrilla Theater", that describes the tactics used by Hubbard's supporters at the Jan. 22 RCF Conference. He writes:

"The Associated Press' Michael Gormley, who was present throughout the meeting and whose story appeared in newspapers from Long Island to Florida, downsized the audience, and presented Hubbard's critics as the disruptive element."

Likoudis then quotes Gormley's article:

"One hundred Brady supporters attended the event at an Albany hotel," misreported Gormley, "while more than 50 protesters filled the back of the meeting room. Protesters speaking in support of Hubbard were drowned out by members of RCF reciting the Lord's Prayer and Hail Mary.

A small protest in support of the bishop was held outside the Albany hotel. One Hubbard supporter, Gerry Ladouceur, 49, of Albany County, said Brady has his own agenda and is using the claims against Hubbard to promote it.

Gormley made no mention of this reporter's presence, the statement to the press, or the 40 minute question-and-answer session.

Thank you, Antoninus, for picking up on Gormley's stories for the "Gay City News". Anyone know how to get this information to Paul Likoudis and John Aretakis? It would seem the Lavendar network is deep and filled with allies.

[johnb2004]

I thought Egan was one of those "conservative" bishops appointed in recent years?

[GirlShortstop]

White has maintained she will not speak to the media until the investigation is complete.

Looks to me like White a) is a wee bit concerned that the Catholics will see that they're being RIPPED OFF, or b) would find it financially unwise to shed light, and give hope to same Catholics that TRUTH will be forthcoming which would prompt an almost immediate termination phone call from Hubba?

What other reasons would legitimately exist?

[Desdemona]

I thought Egan was one of those "conservative" bishops appointed in recent years?

I'm starting to believe Egan was kind of a "David Souter" sort of appointment. Looked okay, and turned out to be a mistake. Those happen.

[Desdemona]

Looks to me like Mary Jo White is going to be loyal to her client.

[johnb2004]

What about O'Malley and Dolan? I read a thread here where Dolan wanted Weakland to start doing confirmations. O'Malley seems to be "soft" in several areas. I guess my point is I hear so much about these new bishop appointments being so strictly orthodox, then I read post after post about how these guys are the same old, same old.

[Desdemona]

O'Malley I always did have my doubts, but Dolan...he probably needs help with confirmations and Weakland is still available to do them. It could well be that Dolan requested from the Vatican special dispensation for a few monsigors to help him and the Vatican said use Weakland. It's not like he's in an administrative capacity. Weakland can still hear confessions and say Mass.

Here, where I live, we're down to two bishops. Again. The pope keeps giving ours away. So, a few high up monsingors have dispensation to confirm.

I don't know the situation in Milwaulkee (pinging ninenot who would know), but my guess is that if Dolan didn't have help, he'd be confirming all summer long.

[johnb2004]

I understand your points, but you must see mine as well. As for Weakland, my point is he is a known heretic and homosexualist. Is this guy appropriate to use, whether Dolan is short handed or not?

O'Malley was heralded as more conservative than the pope by many. From what I read, he is not much of a conservative, yet many keep saying all the new appointments are great?

[Desdemona]

Sending someone like O'Malley to Boston was done to get the scandal taken care of. Plain and simple. I had reservations due to other reasons. If the archbishop's residence here was sold, like it was in Boston, there would be anarchy. The cardinal's residence was sold long ago and all the land that went with it, but that mansion on Lindell is very special to us. I can't imagine that the people of Boston were appreciative of O'Malley selling off his place of hospitality.

As for Weakland, I don't why he's still in Milwaulkee, but the people seem to be telling Dolan, they really don't want Weakland around. Maybe it's for the best. That way, everyone gets the message on Weakland, including him.

[johnb2004]

I was referring to the TAT program, his stance on VOTF and his dealings with Kerry and Kennedy.