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  Priest Pleads Not Guilty to Latest Abuse Allegations

Chicago Tribune
June 9, 2006

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/north/chi-0606090261
jun09,1,2579969.story?coll=chi-newslocalnorth-hed

A Chicago priest pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he sexually abused two boys. Rev. Daniel J. McCormack had previously pleaded not guilty to charges that he abused three boys at St. Agatha Catholic Church on the West Side.

The two latest counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involve 10- and 11-year-old boys, authorities said.

Prosecutors have said McCormack repeatedly fondled the 11-year-old on "an almost daily basis" beginning in September. The alleged abuse lasted nearly five months and occurred at Our Lady of the Westside School, Presentation Campus, authorities said.

The alleged fondling began less than a month after Chicago archdiocese officials appointed a fellow priest to monitor McCormack, according to the charges.

The alleged abuse against the 10-year-old was a one-time incident inside the rectory of St. Agatha sometime between August 2003 and June 2004, authorities said.

McCormack pleaded not guilty in March to abusing three other boys at St. Agatha from September 2001 to January 2005.

In March, the archdiocese turned over documents involving McCormack to the Cook County state's attorney's office but wanted to have a small part of the records under seal. Criminal Court Judge Thomas Sumner reviewed the documents and is expected to detail his ruling on July 14.

Conviction on each count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse carries a penalty ranging from probation to 7 years in prison.

 
 

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