BOSTON -- Alleged victims of clergy sexual abuse are asking federal prosecutors to do what the state could not -- punish church leaders for failing to protect them.
The Associated Press reported that a dozen alleged victims are angry and frustrated that Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas Reilly declined to bring indictments on state charges. Reilly said the weakness of laws on the books at the time of the abuse prevented him from charging church officials.
The alleged victims are asking U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan to consider filing federal racketeering or conspiracy charges against Archdiocese of Boston officials.
"The ball has been dropped by just about every state agency you can imagine," said William Oberle. "Not one moment of healing can take place until something is done."
According to the report, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's office was not immediately available to respond to a request for comment.
