|
7/14/02 |
An
unnamed complainant files suit against Cummings in Suffolk
County court. The RCAB claims that it was not notified
until September. |
8/3/02 |
Edwards, who has a learning
disability, tries to correct Parker’s draft of lawsuit. |
|
8/14/02 |
Parker files suit charging Foster
and Cummings with abusing Edwards; several obvious and
significant mistakes are uncorrected in the document submitted
to the court. |
|
8/15/02 |
Foster notified; assembles
high-powered legal and public relations team – four lawyers
and Bishoff-Solomon Communications |
|
8/15/02 |
Linda Amicangioli, a London-based
public relations specialist and friend of Foster, organizes a
campaign to discredit Edwards. While Amicangioli initially
claims that she has direct knowledge of facts that will
disprove Edwards’ allegations, she produces no relevant
information and later admits that her statements about
Edwards’ credibility are based on “third-hand” anecdotes.
Accuser
wrongly maligned; Church ignored facts in Foster Case |
|
8/15/02 |
Story is leaked to media. Reporters
begin to descend on Parker and on Paul and Shannon Edwards.
|
|
8/16/02 |
Edwards appears on WHDH TV
http://web1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/H2841/
|
|
8/17/02 |
Story breaks in print media. |
|
8/17/02 |
Foster
examined by Church investigator, admits, contrary to
repeated reports in the Globe, that Edwards had visited his
bedroom on several occasions; says he can’t recall if Edwards
told him of the Cummings rape. |
|
8/19/02 |
Globe mentioned in memo by Parker as
source of doubts about Edwards’ allegations. Parker has
already been contacted by both the Globe and WHDH about
emails sent by Amicangioli group. |
|
8/20/02 |
As Parker panics about negative
media coverage, Edwards is admitted to Mass Medical Center,
put under suicide watch. |
|
8/21/02 |
Globe story on violations of accused priests rights mentions
Foster’s case. |
|
8/22/02 |
1st Globe attack on Edwards’ credibility.
Almost all information, which is supplied by Amicangioli
group, is irrelevant or wrong. Globe reporters copy statements
made by Foster's supporters without bothering to check any facts.
Globe initiates its practice of referring to Foster's
supporters as "Edwards's friends." |
|
8/22/02
|
Joseph Doherty, one of Foster’s four
lawyers, reads the Globe over the phone to Parker. Parker
promises to withdraw as Edwards’ counsel if reports about
Edwards prove true.
See Doherty’s affidavit, filed 9/4/02:
While we were
conducting our investigation, reporters from the Boston Globe
were also conducting an investigation concerning Paul Edwards’
credibility. The information obtained by the Globe was
consistent with the information we were obtaining through our
investigation. They published their first story challenging
the credibility of Mr. Foster’s [sic] allegations on August
22, 2002. That afternoon, I spoke with Mr. Edwards’ Attorney,
Eric Parker, and shared with him substantial additional
information beyond what was had been reported in the Globe,
that we had uncovered and that in our opinion established
conclusively that his client suffered from life-long
psychiatric problems that cause him to fabricate stories in
which he was the “victim” of injury or illness or other harm.
Mr. Parker stated that he had been entirely unaware of the
information in the Globe article and the further information
that we provided to him. He acknowledged that he had an
ethical obligation to investigate the information himself and
that if his investigation confirmed that his client’s
allegations were not credible, he would immediately move to
withdraw from the case as counsel for Mr. Edwards.
|
|
8/?/02 |
Having read media reports, Delia
Brennan emails Parker to confirm her conversation with Edwards
in the early 1990’s about the Cummings rape; specifies that
the abuse occurred on an overnight ski trip. |
|
8/23/02 |
2nd Globe assault of Edwards Misreporting
continues; no doubts relevant to Edwards’ charges are raised.
Globe reporters claim that they can't find anyone with a
negative word to say about either Cummings or Foster even
though many local Catholics condemned Cummings when he
announced that he had AIDs in 1993. |
|
8/24/02 |
Herald reports on Foster supporters’
efforts to undermine Edwards:
Victims’ Advocates Urge Caution; article contrasts sharply
with attack mode adopted by the Globe. |
|
8/24/02 |
Parker calls Doherty to express his
intention to withdraw as Edwards’ counsel. Having met with
Edwards at the psych ward at Mass Med, Parker tells Doherty
that Edwards will probably voluntarily dismiss all claims.
See Doherty’s affidavit, filed 9/4/02:
On Monday, August 24,
2002, Mr. Parker called me to report that he had met with his
client, his client’s wife, and his client’s physician. Based
on information and belief, Mr. Edwards was hospitalized at
that time in a locked psychiatric unit at a medical facility
in Worcester, Massachusetts. Mr. Parker obviously could not
disclose the content of his conversation with Mr. Edwards.
However, based upon his meeting with Mr. Edwards, he informed
me that he intended to withdraw as counsel for Mr. Edwards and
that he believed that Mr. Edwards intended to file a Voluntary
Dismissal of All Claims, pro se, after Mr. Parker withdrew.
|
|
8/25/02 |
Parker drafts motion to withdraw
claiming that “subsequent to the filing of the plaintiff’s
complaint, issues arose, central to the allegations contained
in the plaintiff’s complaint, that prevent plaintiff’s counsel
from serving effectively as plaintiff’s legal counsel in
connection with this matter.” |
|
8/27/02 |
Still at Mass Med, Edwards signs
consent to Parker’s withdrawal and also signs first draft of
dismissal with prejudice. Parker fails to explain why he is
taking this action and what it means to the future of the
case. Parker tells Edwards that going forward with the case
will undermine the Edwards’ ongoing efforts to adopt a child
and also result in a countersuit by Foster that could cost the
Edwards all of their assets, including their home. |
|
8/28/02 |
Parker amends mutual release
according to RCAB’s faxed demands and files motion to
withdraw. |
|
8/29/02 |
Judge Constance Sweeney expresses concerns
about the basis of Edwards’ allegations and about Parker’s
motion to withdraw; orders Edwards to appear. Parker does
not disclose that Edwards is in the hospital and makes Sweeney
think that Edwards will not defend the truthfulness of his
claims. |
|
8/29/02 |
Edwards released from Mass. Med.
Parker warns Edwards that he may be arrested for filing a
fraudulent claim. |
|
8/29/02 |
Dr. Ned Cassem, a Jesuit, member of
Cardinal Law’s Commission for the Protection of Children and
former head of the psychiatry dept. at Massachusetts General Hospital,
signs an affidavit prepared by Foster's lawyers that describes
Edwards as a “psychopath” or “sociopath” and advises Foster to
“wear a Kevlar vest” and “learn how to use a gun.” Cassem never
met Edwards and did not have access to his medical records.
Also, Edwards has no history of violence and has never been
trouble with the law. In his affidavit, Cassem fails to
provide any evidence to support his opinions.
Affidavit of Ned Cassem |
|
8/30/02 |
Globe story on Parker’s withdrawal
suggests that there may be a criminal investigation of
Edwards’ filing of his lawsuit -
Judge voices concerns on suit against priests. |
|
8/30/02 |
Voluntary dismissal with prejudice
filed. |
|
9/?/02 or 10/?/02 |
State trooper Brian Murphy of the
Attorney General’s office contacts Edwards in connection to
the AG’s broad investigation of clergy sexual abuse. Parker
advises Edwards not to cooperate in any way with any
representative of the AG. |
|
9/? |
Frank C. Corso seems to be serving
as go-between for Edwards and RCAB. It’s not clear if Corso
is working for Edwards or the Church. |
|
9/1/02 |
Globe publishes story complaining
about mistreatment of Foster:
Rights of priests at issue in abuse probes. |
|
9/3/02 |
Corso writes to RCAB lawyer Wilson D. Rogers to
inform him that a Voluntary Dismissal, with prejudice, has
been filed with the Suffolk Country Superior Court and asks
Rogers to have Foster sign the mutual release. |
|
9/4/02 |
A false accusation – In a lead editorial, the Globe complains about
the injustice done to Foster and Cummings; suggests that Edwards
has "a moral obligation" to take back his accusation.
Note: The Globe refused to amend this editorial position in
response to subsequent objections from advocacy groups.
See
email from Joseph Gallagher, a member of the Coalition of
Catholics & Survivors, to Globe reporter Walter
Robinson. |
|
9/4/02 |
Doherty signs affidavit maligning
Edwards’ credibility based on conversations with Edwards’
estranged father -
Affidavit of Joseph Doherty. |
|
9/4/02 |
RCAB reportedly receives a second
lawsuit charging Cummings with abusing a ten-year-old boy in a
Somerville Church in 1982. It’s not clear if a demand letter
had been filed earlier. The
lawsuit was filed in Suffolk court in June, but the RCAB claims to
have had no knowledge of it until September. |
|
9/4/02 |
In an article on the withdrawal of
Edwards' lawsuit, the Globe reports that the Suffolk County
D.A. is investigating Edwards:
But the possibility that Edwards's allegations are unfounded
will be reviewed by the Suffolk district attorney. ''We are
reviewing the case to determine if there's evidence of
criminal conduct,'' said David Procopio, a spokesman for the
district attorney.
Man Drops Claims Against Two Priests.
|
|
9/5/02 |
Edwards passes a polygraph test
arranged and paid for by Frank Corso. Richard C. Johnson, the
attorney who conducted the test, concludes that the “polygraph
results relating to each issue support the truthfulness of Mr.
Edwards.” |
|
9/7/02 |
Globe story on Foster’s “distressful
ordeal:”
Foster says he is 'disheartened' by church silence. |
|
9/9/02 |
Parker writes to Edwards to let him
know that he is dropping the product liability case against
Works Performance, a ski equipment company, that had
originally brought him and Edwards together. He cites the
“problems created for you in the Archdiocese case” as a reason
to dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice. In contrast to his
efforts to terrify Edwards into dropping the case against Foster,
Parker suggests that Edwards could find a lawyer to help him
continue with the earlier case. Parker provides no
specific reasons for his actions other than the pressures
applied by the media and the Archdiocese. |
|
9/11/02 |
Foster cleared by Archdiocese,
allowed to return to work. |
|
9/12/02 |
Edwards
meets with Church investigator Sean Connor; provides
documentation showing that Globe articles were wrong.
Globe reporter Walter Robinson finds
out about the interview immediately afterwards; calls Foster to let him
know that he's been "double-crossed." |
|
9/12/02 |
In an article on Foster's
short-lived reinstatement, Globe reporter Walter Robinson
repeats misinformation supplied by Foster's supporters; says that the
Suffolk County D.A.'s office has launched a criminal
investigation of Edwards. |
|
9/14 |
Sean
Connor emails Amy Strickland, one of Foster's lawyers taking her
and Foster to task for supplying false information to Globe
reporter Walter Robinson. A promised letter to
Strickland on media manipulation is missing from the Foster
file. |
|
9/14/02 |
After a meeting attended by Bishop
Lennon and other RCAB officials, RCAB removes Foster again. |
|
9/14/02 |
Ned Cassem
writes memo to Deacon Anthony Rizutto falsely maligning
Edwards as a "felon" and claiming that Edwards
presents a
danger to
Cardinal Law and others. Cassem cites the Globe as the source
of his misinformation. |
|
9/23/02 |
Church investigator Sean Connor writes to Rev. John Beal, one
of Foster's lawyers, explaining why he has to try to conduct
some sort of investigation. Connor states that his first
report to the Review Board was incomplete because the
"Archdiocese was prevented from interviewing complainant."
Connor did not explain what prevented this interview.
Connor also noted that the "dismissal of [Edwards'] civil suit
did not address whether the misconduct in fact occurred, nor
did it refer to the canonical investigation." Since the
findings of the Review Board and the results of the
investigation were excluded from the file, it's not clear why
it had earlier recommended Foster's reinstatement. |
|
10/9/02 |
Church
investigator Sean Connor writes memo to Ned Cassem
suggesting that Cassem’s affidavit in the Foster case is
“fraudulent.” |
|
10/17/02 |
Cassem writes back to Connor: “You
are stuck on the wrong issue here—what are the FACTS, not what
is the down and dirty truth. You sounded like an enemy of
Msgr. Foster.”
Note from Ned Cassem to RCAB investigator Rev. Sean Connor |
|
10/23/02 |
Another Globe story on the RCAB’s
mistreatment of Foster and Cummings:
Church faulted on slow pace of priest abuse probes. |
|
10/25/02 |
Another Globe story emphasizing
Foster’s plight:
Archdiocese eyes more legal rights for accused priests. |
|
10/30/02 |
Foster reinstated without
explanation and without notifying Edwards. Again, since
the results of the Archdiocese's investigation and the
findings of the Review Board were excluded from the Foster
file, it's not clear why the Review Board chose to recommend
his reinstatement. The
RCAB announcement promised
to disclose details sometime in the future, but never did
so. Also, according to the
RCAB, "During this time care has also been taken so
that the good name of each person involved in this process not
be endangered by this investigation." |
|
11/1/02 |
Another Globe story on Foster’s
ordeal:
Reinstated monsignor questions church policies. |
|
11/1/02 |
Peter G. Hermes writes a letter
threatening to sue Edwards if he makes “any statements that
Monsignor Foster considers defamatory.” The letter indicates
that Frank Corso is representing Edwards, but no contract was
made to that effect, nor is there any other documentation
indicating that Corso is actually Edwards’ lawyer. |
|
11/18/02 |
Another Globe story on Foster’s
exoneration:
Cleared priest returns to altar; church marks justice system
ties. |
|
11/24/02 |
Another Globe story on Foster’s
ordeal:
Priest reinstated after false accusation is angry. |
|
11/25/02 |
Another Globe story on Foster’s
exoneration:
Joyous at his vindication, a Newton parish welcomes Monsignor
Michael Smith Foster |
|
12/13/02 |
Reports in the Boston Herald show
that Foster lied in the course of the Church investigation
and that Globe articles were incorrect:
Accuser wrongly maligned; Church ignored facts in Foster Case. |
|
12/14/02 |
SNAP calls for a reopening of the
Foster case:
Victims' group urges new probe of Foster. |
|
12/27/02 |
Carmen Durso stages press conference
to call for reopening the Foster case. |
|
12/28/02 |
Rather than acknowledging its
previous misreporting, the Globe tries to maintain its
previous skepticism by fabricating a disparity between
Edwards’ lawsuit and what Edwards said in his interview with
Church investigator Sean Connor:
Edwards said in the
August lawsuit that he was molested numerous times by Foster
between 1980 and 1985 at Sacred Heart Church in Newton. The
Winchendon resident also said he was anally raped by the Rev.
William J. Cummings, who died [of AIDs] in 1994. However, in
an interview with a church investigator in September, Edwards
said he and Foster had napped together in Foster's bed at the
rectory. Edwards yesterday was unable to explain the
differences between what he said in the lawsuit and what he
told the church.
Foster's accuser asks archdiocese to reopen case.
Edwards statements to Sean Connor
and the sexual misconduct described in the lawsuit are
entirely consistent. For a critique of this article see
http://faculty.uml.edu/sgallagher/Carroll2.htm.
|
|
1/3/03? |
Survivors and advocates meet with
Globe reporter Walter Robinson to demand corrections on Edwards case – See
email from Joe Gallagher, who attended the meeting, to Walter
Robinson. |
|
1/15/03 |
RCAB forced to reveal 2nd
lawsuit against Cummings:
Archdiocese knew of 2d lawsuit when it rejected claim.
For a critique of the Globe's ongoing misreporting, see
http://faculty.uml.edu/sgallagher/blamingothers.htm.
|
|
1/15/03 |
Boston Herald article on Ned
Cassem’s intervention in the Edwards case:
http://faculty.uml.edu/sgallagher/cassem.htm |
