Fr. John Madden is speaking out for the first time following an investigation into sexual misconduct at the St. John’s Food for the Poor program run out of his parish.
In a video posted to his Facebook page Monday and shared by St. John’s Parish, Madden said, “for the past several months while being very publicly slandered and libeled I have remained silent. I knew the truth. I trusted the process, as well as the integrity and professionalism of the person charged with investigating the allegations made against me.”
Madden was accused of being aware of or complicit to the conduct of food program director William ‘Billy’ Riley. Three complaints were made against Riley starting in March related to illegal activity involving adults.
Since then two women came forward stating Riley paid them for sexual acts which they felt they had to perform if they wanted continued access to the food pantry. The women were both homeless at the time of the alleged abuse and the food pantry was one of their only sources for food and warmth during the winter.
Riley resigned from his role on July 13 and the diocese released a redacted 72-page report of the investigation the following day. The report did not state if the allegations against Riley were warranted, but did state the claims that Madden was aware of or complicit to Riley’s behavior were not.
The report did include an interview that showed Madden was aware of “rumors” that Riley used prostitutes.
“At this time I state publicly and...
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