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By Richard Nangle
TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
During a cell phone conversation while driving his car on May 9, 2002, Msgr. Thomas. J. Sullivan alleges, Worcester lawyer James J. Gri-bouski attempted to extort money from the Worcester Catholic Diocese to settle a sexual abuse claim against Auxiliary Bishop George E. Rueger.
In making that allegation in pretrial testimony last month, Msgr. Sullivan contradicted a diocesan statement from last July which recanted the monsignor’s public accusation of extortion against what was then termed an unnamed lawyer.
In a deposition last month, Msgr. Sullivan said he told Mr. Gribouski he had spoken by telephone with Bishop Rueger’s accuser, Sime Braio of Shrewsbury, who he said threatened to go to the press if he could not obtain a monetary settlement.
Msgr. Sullivan said Mr. Gribouski responded, “Well, how about if the diocese would offer us some money and a confidentiality agreement?”
“I said two words to him, very hot. “Absolutely not,'” Msgr. Sullivan said. “We hung up – oh, then at that point he said, “Then I’ve just decided I will not be representing Mr. Braio.'”
Msgr. Sullivan said he was incensed by what he termed an immoral request by Mr. Gribouski, one he believed was an attempt at extortion.
“I’d say it this way: When there is – knowing that the case has no merits, and believing fully in my heart that Mr. Gribouski at that time also realized that the case had no merits, to simply ask the question, would the diocese be willing to pay money and have a confidentiality agreement over the matter, is immoral,” he said.
On Friday, Mr. Gribouski responded to Msgr. Sullivan’s comments this way:
“I have a practice of not commenting on pending cases. Msgr. Sullivan is entitled to his own opinion although I disagree with his opinion. I also want to remind you that his employer issued a retraction stating that I did nothing wrong and counsel for the diocese stated for the record in open court that they do not allege that I did anything wrong. I stand on my reputation as an attorney in this community.”
The court hearing Mr. Gribouski referred to was in November, when a judge ruled the lawyer could be deposed by the diocese in connection with the Braio case.
Mr. Gribouski has said he decided not to represent Mr. Braio after receiving a letter from a psychiatrist who concluded that his symptoms could not be related to sexual abuse.
Richard Nangle can be reached by e-mail at rnangle@telegram.com.
