Jags Rally

Jags Rally
Mike Sims-Walker joins Sam at 7 pm

°

Homepage / Jacksonville News
Text Size

Suspended Miami Priest Sues Accuser For Defamation

POSTED: Friday, October 13, 2006

A Roman Catholic priest suspended by the Archdiocese of Miami because of sexual abuse allegations sued one of his accusers Thursday and an attorney who represented the accuser, claiming they defamed him and were involved in a conspiracy.

The Rev. Alvaro Guichard has already filed several lawsuits as a result of the allegations. In January he sued Jeffrey Herman, an attorney who represented the accusers, for defamation. Guichard also previously filed separate lawsuits against an accuser identified as "John Doe 17" and the mother and brother of another accuser, claiming defamation and conspiracy in each case.

On Thursday Guichard filed another lawsuit in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, this time against Herman and a man he said was previously identified as "John Doe 20" who accused the priest of abusing him in 1980.

The lawsuit seeks more than $15,000 in damages, claiming Guichard never abused the man and that both provided false statements to the media and the public. The lawsuit also alleges the pair conspired to collect money from the archdiocese by incriminating Guichard, a charge similar to conspiracy charges Guichard had alleged in previous cases.

A message for Herman left after hours by The Associated Press was not immediately returned.

Guichard was put on paid administrative leave after the allegations surfaced.

He was named in a 2005 lawsuit alleging church abuse.

Sponsored Links

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
Employers generally have options when it comes to hiring. Makes sure you present yourself as professionally as possible, or else. More

You can pick your friends, but not your family -- or your neighbors. Here's what you need to know about how to deal with yours. More

It was bound to happen. There are now applications for your cell phone that can help you avoid speeding tickets as well as traffic jams. Drive carefully. More

Are you often tired or rushed in the morning? Give your morning habits a makeover, and start the day feeling positive and energetic instead. More

Most Popular