Crime & Safety
Priest's Alleged Sexual Misconduct Under Investigation
Santa Monica police say a misdemeanor charge is possible. There's been no arrest so far in the case.
Police are investigating allegations of sexual battery by a priest at St. Anne's Catholic Church, a department spokesman said in a press release Thursday.
No arrests have been made in the case, which was reported to July 1 to Santa Monica Police.
A woman, who isn't a parishioner at the church, told police the incident occurred on church property near Colorado Avenue and 20th Street in September of last year.
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St. Anne's referred requests for comment to its attorney, Donald Steier, who did not return a message.
"There is an [accusation of] sexual battery... which usually indicates a misdemeanor crime," said police Sgt. Richard Lewis.
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