Charleston, W.Va. • A Catholic diocese and its former bishop in West Virginia knowingly employed pedophiles and failed to conduct adequate background checks on camp and school workers, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday by the state attorney general.
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey’s suit against the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and Bishop Michael Bransfield was brought under the state’s consumer credit and protection act, which several lawyers said is a first-of-its kind move.
The suit alleges the diocese and Bransfield chose to cover up arguably criminal behavior and says the diocese employed admitted sexual abusers and priests credibly accused of child sexual abuse without adequate background checks.