SEATTLE — The Washington state attorney general is investigating whether the Seattle Archdiocese used charitable funds to cover up child sex abuse by clergy members.
AG Bob Ferguson said his office would usually not comment on or acknowledge an active investigation, but the Seattle Archdiocese has refused to cooperate. Ferguson said his office is taking the Archdiocese to court to enforce a subpoena asking for accounting and financial records.
In a statement, the Archdiocese of Seattle said it actually has been complying with the investigation, saying they have responded to the subpoena and provided some of the documents requested.
The AG's office said there is reason to believe the Seattle Archdiocese knew that certain priests were sexually abusing children, but that they used their resources to protect their clergy members instead of the victims. Ferguson cited a specific example where a Catholic priest, Father Michael J. Cody, sexually abused children for decades but was moved from parish to parish to hide his crimes instead of facing the consequences.
The Archdiocese's statement went on to say that they share a common goal with the AG's office of preventing abuse and helping victims heal. In a letter sent to parishioners about the investigation in 2023, Most Reverend Paul Etienne said the Archdiocese has no concern about sharing their files "lawfully and fairly" and that they would collaborate with the review.
The investigation also involves the archdiocese of Yakima and Spokane. Ferguson said his office opened the investigation and sent the first round of subpoenas in the summer of 2023, but all three archdiocese only provided information that was already public. A second set of subpoenas was sent out this spring, seeking additional information, including accounting and financial records, but the Seattle Archdiocese has refused to respond. Ferguson said he plans to take action against the Yakima and Spokane Archdioceses if they also refuse to comply.
Ferguson asked anyone who has been impacted by clergy abuse to contact his office.