After nearly six hours of direct questioning at a deposition on Monday (1/2/12), David Clohessy, the national president of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), says that he could end up behind bars.
Clohessy is refusing a lawful order from a judge to turn over documents and correspondences related to the case of an accused Missouri cleric.
In addition to the fact that Clohessy may face jail time, Clohessy’s actions appear to have the entire SNAP organization reeling in panic.
A public appearance today (Tue., 1/3/12) by Clohessy prompted a St. Louis radio station to report:
"The usually confident, sometimes strident, David Clohessy appeared shaken and teary-eyed by what he says is the worst legal problem the group has faced in 23 years."
Indeed, the liberal (and SNAP-friendly) National Catholic Reporter quoted Clohessy as saying, “We’re spending tens of thousands on legal costs we never budgeted.” Clohessy has also said that the effect on SNAP has “already been devastating,” according to the paper.
Lawyers are seeking to find out how a gag order was allegedly violated, and they believe that SNAP may have the answer.
Of course, Clohessy is blaming all of his troubles on the Catholic Church, claiming that it is out to “destroy SNAP.”
But the truth is that the orders for the documents are completely legal. Clohessy has lost all attempts and appeals to have the order removed. On Monday, the Missouri Supreme Court declined to step in on SNAP’s behalf.
An Associated Press report said that Clohessy is “weighing its options for fighting the order,” but the truth is that it appears that he has already exhausted all options.
What will Clohessy do?
When asked whether he will go to jail, rather than turn over the requested documents, Clohessy reportedly said that he’ll “cross that bridge when he comes to it.”
Well, it looks like that bridge is already right under his feet.
Again – stay tuned.
