But the San Gabriel Mission (where he was working when he was banned from Los Angeles—and whose leadership is well aware of everything I have written here) is still honoring him at their May 25 Build the Dreams Scholarship Fundraiser, alongside actor Edward James Olmos.
My sources tell me that Olmos has known for more than a year about Wellems. We will see if he pulls out of the event.
The folks at the mission are going to say that Wellems is not to blame here because the abuse happened before Wellems was a priest. Wellems was 15 and the victim was seven years old.
But I ask you this: does that make the abuse feel any different to the seven-year-old?
I will also say this: in all of the interviews that Wellems has done regarding the abuse and the lawsuit, not once has he apologized to the victim. Not once has he acknowledged that he hurt a little boy and his family. Not once has he said he was sorry. And at every turn, he has minimized the abuse, called himself a victim, and spent years covering it up when his victim sought justice.
But if two archdioceses and a religious order decide independently that Bruce Wellems is unfit for the priesthood, something tells me that there is much more here than meets the eye.
If Archbishop Gomez and Cardinal Cupich are half the pastoral leaders they claim to be, they’ll step in and put an end to this nonsense immediately.
The era of secret child sex abuse settlements in California is over.
I am usually quick to beat up on California Governor Jerry Brown for his poor record on protecting institutions who cover-up child sex abuse. But a new law enacted January 1, 2017, slipped under my radar— and organizations who harbor men and women who prey on children should be on notice.
Section 1002 of the Code of Civil Procedure is amended to read:
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a provision within a settlement agreement that prevents the disclosure of factual information related to the action is prohibited in any civil action the factual foundation for which establishes a cause of action for civil damages for any of the following:
(1) An act that may be prosecuted as a felony sex offense.
(2) An act of childhood sexual abuse, as defined in Section 340.1.
(3) An act of sexual exploitation of a minor, as defined in Section 11165.1 of the Penal Code, or conduct prohibited with respect to a minor pursuant to Section 311.1, 311.5, or 311.6 of the Penal Code.
(4) An act of sexual assault, as defined in paragraphs (1) to (9), inclusive, of subdivision (e) of Section 15610.63 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, against an elder or dependent adult, as defined in Sections 15610.23 and 15610.7 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, in a civil action described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (a), a court shall not enter, by stipulation or otherwise, an order that restricts the disclosure of information in a manner that conflicts with subdivision (a).
(c) Subdivisions (a) and (b) do not preclude an agreement preventing the disclosure of any medical information or personal identifying information, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 530.55 of the Penal Code, regarding the victim of the offense listed in subdivision (a) or of any information revealing the nature of the relationship between the victim and the defendant. This subdivision shall not be construed to limit the right of a crime victim to disclose this information.
(d) Except as authorized by subdivision (c), a provision within a settlement agreement that prevents the disclosure of factual information related to the action described in subdivision (a) that is entered into on or after January 1, 2017, is void as a matter of law and against public policy.
(e) An attorney’s failure to comply with the requirements of this section by demanding that a provision be included in a settlement agreement that prevents the disclosure of factual information related to the action described in subdivision (a) that is not otherwise authorized by subdivision (c) as a condition of settlement, or advising a client to sign an agreement that includes such a provision, may be grounds for professional discipline and the State Bar of California shall investigate and take appropriate action in any such case brought to its attention.
In other words, if there are damaging documents (with the victims’ and innocent parties’ names redacted) about the guilt/liability of the perpetrator entered into evidence, they must be made public upon settlement.
If there is damaging or embarrassing evidence about the cover-up – all evidence must be made public upon settlement. No more secret settlement documents.
Or the Boy Scouts, who have thousands of pages of perversion files—outlining decades of abuse—that the public has yet to see (and victims they are still fighting in the courts).
Charles T. Ritz III, La Habra High School Teacher accused of abuse
In a 13-0 vote, lawmakers Monday morning unanimously approved legislation to permanently remove the statute of limitations for all sexual abuse crimes, allowing victims to file civil cases against their alleged assailant.
Unlike a 2011 bill that was actively opposed by the Catholic Church, this bill will also allow victims to name and sue third parties who knew about, facilitated, or covered up the abuse.
This is a tremendous victory for the victims and faithful of Guam. Since earlier this year, they have worked to help numerous victims come forward publicly (including numerous alleged victims of Archbishop Apuron). Then, when Apuron was replaced by an Apostolic Administrator, victims and Guam’s Catholics didn’t sit back and hope for the best. Instead, they have filed defamation lawsuits, demanded real action, and helped more victims and witnesses come forward publicly and safely.
If this legislation becomes law, victims will gain access to a treasure trove of secret sex abuse and cover-up files. Plus, they will be able to depose those who have actively worked to silence victims and enable predators. This is exciting stuff.
For the latest, always check out the JungleWatch blog. They pull no punches.
Speaking out about sexual abuse in Hollywood is tough business, but speaking out against the Michael Jackson Machine can be downright scary. Robson couldn’t stay silent any longer, especially after the birth of his son.
Robson recently filed a sex abuse lawsuit against two of Michael Jackson’s companies. The latest amended lawsuit has a bombshell.
In the new filings, Robson, 33, alleges that Jackson and his inner circle sought out children in systemic fashion through two companies, MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures. The companies — ostensibly dedicated to creating and disseminating Jackson’s entertainment — served “dual purposes,” Robson’s lawyer told the Daily News.
“MJJ Productions operated the most sophisticated child sexual abuse procurement and facilitation operation the world has known,” Robson’s lawyer said Monday.
Bill Cosby and California Law
In California, a “little bill that could” is sitting on Governor Jerry Brown’s desk, waiting for his signature.
The Legislature sent (state Sen. Connie) Leyva’s bill, SB 813, to Brown last week. He has until Sept 30 to sign the bill, which would end the time limit in California for prosecuting rape, child sexual abuse and other felony sex crimes.
“This bill does not abolish the very high burden-of-proof standard,” Leyva said at a state Capitol news conference. “[SB] 813 simply ensures that the door does not slam in the face of victims.”
When the bill was first introduced, it was a bit of an outlier. But with the mounting allegations and evidence of abuse against comedian Bill Cosby, California lawmakers understood that if victims can meet a burden of proof, they need a CHANCE to get inside of a courtroom.
If you are in the San Francisco area May 27, be sure to check out this screening of the award-winning documentary Call Me Lucky, with a special Q&A afterward with comedian and filmmaker Bobcat Goldthwait.
A tribute to an underappreciated comedic talent that takes a startling midpoint shift toward much graver material, “Call Me Lucky” is a terrifically engaging surprise. Bobcat Goldthwait’s documentary feature manages to avoid both excessive cronyism and soapboxing as it traverses from a portrait of his professional mentor, influential standup Barry Crimmins, to something that could scarcely be less of a laughing matter.
Note: it was the release of previously sealed depositions in the CIVIL case against Cosby that finally encouraged Montgomery County, PA prosecutors to file criminal charges.
In 2004, when former Temple University employee Andrea Constand originally reported the sexual assault, prosecutors would not charge Cosby. But 49 women and a 2005 deposition later, the criminal justice system is listening.
Cosby claims that the encounter was consensual. Constand, who was not only allegedly drugged by Cosby, is also a lesbian.
