Feds may seek racketeering suit for clergy abuse in diocese
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A top federal prosecutor in Pennsylvania says he may file a racketeering lawsuit against a Roman Catholic diocese where a state grand jury found two former bishops helped cover up the sexual abuse of hundreds of children.
U.S. Attorney David Hickton says his investigation of the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese grew out of the prosecution of the Rev. Joseph Maurizio Jr. The 71-year-old priest is serving nearly 17 years in prison for molesting two Honduran street children during missionary trips.
Hickton says the ongoing investigation concerns whether diocesan officials engaged in a pattern of criminal activity that would fall under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
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The statute of limitations has lapsed on criminal racketeering charges, but there's no time limit for filing a RICO lawsuit.
The diocese didn't immediately comment.