Ex-priest agrees to avoid children to avoid retrial

[Ian David]

Monday, July 16, 2007
By CAROLYN SALAZAR
STAFF WRITER

Monday, July 16, 2007

By CAROLYN SALAZAR
STAFF WRITER

http://www.northjersey.com/lib/get_image.php?story_id=7169659&image_size=f

A former Wyckoff priest agreed today to never work with children again in exchange for avoiding a retrial on charges that he groped a teenaged boy.

Michael Fugee, whose criminal sexual contact conviction in 2003 was overturned on appeal, qualified for pre-trial intervention, a special form of probation that would leave him with no record if he follows certain conditions.

Under terms of the agreement, Fugee, 46, will enter sexual offender therapy for at least two years and not have any unsupervised contact with children for the rest of his life.

Fugee was arrested March 21, 2001, after a 13-year-old boy accused the then-priest of groping him. The case went to trial, and dozens of parishioners filled the courtroom to show their support.

More:
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MTY5NjU5JnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mg==

[Benhurst]

1. "...dozens of parishioners filled the courtroom to show their support. "

Sick! :puke:

On edit: Just had my first morning cup of coffee. Upon reading the article, I'm not sure whether the parishioners were in court to support the boy or the priest. If the latter, it is sick.

We had an incident here, and it was amazing how many people (parents, at that) supported the priest. One went so far as to say the children "seduced" him. The priest went on to another parish where he was arrested for molesting another boy.

[baby_mouse]

2. Oh, that's fine, then! Thank goodness no GAY people were involved at least!

Phew!

[OlderButWiser]

3. I would certainly trust him

to keep his word, wouldn't you?