Suit against priest delayed

Friday, Dec. 13, 2002 | 9:42 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday said a civil lawsuit filed against the Rev. Mark Roberts, a Catholic priest in Henderson, should be delayed until criminal charges of sexual abuse against him are resolved.

The court upheld the decision of District Judge Ronald Parraguirre, who ruled that the civil trial of Roberts should be delayed until after the criminal proceedings.

The court rejected the appeal of Albert Massi, the attorney for nine juveniles and their parents who claim that Roberts "sexually abused, assaulted and exploited" the youngsters.

Roberts has been suspended from his duties pending the outcome of the cases. He is free on bail from the criminal counts.

Roberts is scheduled to go on trial May 16 on criminal charges that he hit, fondled and photographed teenage boys while counseling them at St. Peter the Apostle.

He faces charges of using a minor in production of pornography, open and gross lewdness and child abuse or neglect.

The civil suit also names Bishop Joseph Pepe, the current head of the Catholic diocese, and Bishop Daniel Walsh, the former head of the church in Southern Nevada.

The civil suit seeks in excess of $10,000 in compensatory damages for each of the youngsters and each of the parents and more than $10,000 in punitive damages for each of those who filed the suit.

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