Mon, Jul 06, 2009

Arizona / West

Monsignor facing sex charges wins delay

The Associated Press
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 06.03.2006
PHOENIX — A judge has granted Monsignor Dale Fushek a last-minute continuance to allow him to appeal an earlier ruling that denied him a jury trial on several misdemeanor sex charges.
Once the No. 2 man in the Diocese of Phoenix, Fushek faces a maximum of more than three years in jail on seven sex charges dating back 10 to 20 years.
Justice of the Peace Sam Goodman, who presides over the San Tan Justice Court in Gilbert, rejected a motion to remove himself because he doesn't have a law degree.
Fushek, 53, a longtime pastor in Mesa, was founder of the Life Teen program for Catholic youths.
He is charged with five misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one of assault and one of indecent exposure.
Fushek is appealing Goodman's denial of a jury trial on all but the indecent exposure count.