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West Virginia AG Sues Church Under Consumer Protection Law

HeadlineMar 20, 2019

West Virginia’s attorney general filed a lawsuit against the state’s Roman Catholic diocese and a former high-ranking bishop Tuesday for “knowingly employ[ing] pedophiles.” West Virginia is accusing the church of violating a consumer protection law by failing to conduct proper background checks on new hires that would be in contact with children at schools and camps, and for covering up sexual abuse. By citing consumer protection, the case will be civil rather than criminal, which legal experts say could be more successful due to strict statutes of limitations on sexual crimes.

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