NY attorney general subpoenas every Catholic diocese in statewide sex abuse probe: report

New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood (D) has subpoenaed all eight Roman Catholic dioceses in the state as part of a probe into the church’s handling of sex abuse allegations, The Associated Press reported Thursday.

A source told the AP that the subpoenas, which went out Thursday, are requesting documents related to sex abuse accusations, payments to victims or findings from internal church investigations.

{mosads}Underwood’s office is investigating how the Catholic Church reviewed and “potentially covered up allegations of extensive sexual abuse in NY,” she tweeted Thursday, adding that her office is looking to partner with district attorneys across the state to investigate and potentially prosecute individuals.

We have launched a civil investigation into how the Catholic Church reviewed & potentially covered up allegations of extensive sexual abuse in NY.

We are also seeking to partner with DAs across the state to investigate and—where warranted—undertake viable criminal prosecutions.

— NY AG Underwood (@NewYorkStateAG) September 6, 2018

Underwood also announced a clergy abuse hotline and online complaint form, where victims and others can provide information related to allegations of sex abuse in the church.

Last month, a grand jury report in Pennsylvania identified more than 300 Catholic priests in the state accused of committing acts of sexual abuse that were allegedly covered up by church officials.

“The Pennsylvania grand jury report shined a light on incredibly disturbing and depraved acts by Catholic clergy, assisted by a culture of secrecy and cover ups in the dioceses. Victims in New York deserve to be heard as well — and we are going to do everything in our power to bring them the justice they deserve,” Underwood said in a statement Thursday.