Two accused Valley priests cleared in abuse investigations, but remain on leave
Two Valley priests accused of sexual misconduct — one in Bakersfield and one in Dinuba — have been cleared by police departments in those cities, but Diocese of Fresno says they will remain on administrative leave, pending other ongoing investigations.
The Diocese of Fresno in a statement late Thursday said the Bakersfield Police Department decided not to pursue charges against Rev. Monsignor Craig Francis Harrison. Bakersfiled police won’t forward charges to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office involving Harrison.
Two other police investigations on allegations of sexual misconduct involving Harrison are still pending in Merced and Firebaugh .
The Bakersfield Californian reported the allegations were made by a man who served as an altar boy during the mid-90s in Bakersfield.
“My faith has remained unwavering as I’ve struggled to deal with these false allegations against me,” Harrison said in a written statement provided to The Californian.
“Accusations are easy to make but they’re very difficult to defend,” Harrison said. “I have been defamed, I’ve been slandered, libeled and irreparably harmed by these false accusers and those supporting them.”
Despite the announcement, Harrison’s status with the Diocese of Fresno won’t change, at least for now. Harrison was placed on administrative leave in April after allegations of sexual misconduct.
An alleged victim came forward in Firebaugh, and then another made allegations in Merced.
“Msgr. Harrison’s status will remain the same while Firebaugh Police Department and Merced Police Department investigations continue. The Diocese is unable to make further comment at this,” the diocese’s statement reads.
Dinuba priest cleared
On Friday, the Diocese of Fresno sent The Bee an update on the case of Father Raul Diaz in Dinuba, who was placed on administrative leave in May.
On July 17, the Dinuba Police Department informed Fresno Diocese Joesph V. Brennan the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office wouldn’t file charges on Diaz’s case, according to the update.
“The next step is a diocesan investigation,” Brennan’s update reads. “Fr. Diaz’s status will remain the same during this process. The findings will then be presented to the Diocesan Review Board to make recommendations to the Bishop.”
Diaz was placed on leave after law enforcement received allegations he had engaged in inappropriate behavior that might have included contact with minors.
This story was originally published July 25, 2019 at 6:23 PM.