Investigator named to look into claims against Bishop Hubbard

Published: 2004-02-20

ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) -- The Albany diocesan Review Board has named Mary Jo White, a prominent New York City lawyer and former U.S. attorney, as an independent investigator to look into allegations of sexual misconduct against Bishop Howard J. Hubbard. "I will have nothing whatsoever to do with the Review Board investigation except to provide the Review Board or its investigator with any information or record they request from me," Bishop Hubbard said. "And as I have repeatedly said, I am willing and eager to take a polygraph examination." White chairs the 222-lawyer litigation group at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP in Manhattan. Since the allegations were made in early February, the bishop has firmly denied them, vigorously asserted his innocence and vowed to clear his name. As part of that effort, the diocese initially asked Albany County District Attorney Paul Clyne to look into the claims and also referred the matter to the Review Board for investigation. The diocesan Review Board was created in 1993 to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct against priests.

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