New York state Catholic dioceses subpoenaed in sex abuse probe: source

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood has subpoenaed all eight Roman Catholic dioceses in the state as part of her office’s investigation into the church’s handling of sex abuse allegations.

A law enforcement source familiar with the investigation but not authorized to speak publicly told The Associated Press the subpoenas went out Thursday.

The subpoenas seek documents relating to sexual abuse allegations, financial payments to possible victims or the findings from internal church investigations.

Underwood’s office is pursuing a civil investigation into how church leaders responded to reports of abuse.

Messages left with diocesan officials were not immediately returned.

The announcement comes three weeks after a grand jury investigation found rampant sexual abuse of more than 1,000 children by about 300 priests in Pennsylvania.

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