OFFICE or THE 

 

 

mm Wyoming mm

MEDIA RELEASE mam) 225--9211
FAX: (307) 235-9256

July 30, 200:
Casper, Wyoming

TO: CasperJ Cheyenne State-wide Media

POLICE INVESTIGATION CLEARS BISHOP HART
Allegations of 25 year old abuse found to be without merit

Sever-id: Judicial District Attorney, Kevin Mechan, announced today in a
prepared release that the Cheyenne Police Department has completed its investigation
into allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by retired Bishop Joseph Han, which are
alleged to have occurred in the 1970's, The Cheyenne Police investigation concluded
that there was no evidence to support the allegations and recommended that the case
be closed.

Meenan was appointed Special Prosecutor by First Judicial District Attorney Jon
Forwood because of a conflict of interest in Fox--Wood's office created by the personal
friendships by some staff membas with Bishop Hart. As Special Prosecutor, Meeuan
reviewed the preliminary investigation reports, asked for some follow up investigation
and then reviewed the final investigation report 

Meeuan commended the Cheyenne Police Department for the thoroughness of its
investigation and said that, it is clear that the allegations are without merit and may
thatcfure flie case must be unfounded". Meenan did not disclose the name of the
alleged victim now 39, citing privacy concerns for the man (referred to as EG) and his
family

AC GROUND

In late April of2002 a relative of EG, (DOB - alleged to Laramie County law
mforcement that EG had been molested by Bishop Joseph Hart in the 1970's in
incidences in Cheyenne and Kansas City while E6 was 13 or 14 years old. Cheyenne
Police Detective Lieutenant Ieff Schulz was named as lead investigator.

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After repeated attempt? to odntaet Sehulz ?hally IjECeived'e story ftom 136 that - 
When EG M1313 or _14Iyee_1?s old, Bishop Hart had made him touch himself timing
confession in one incident and had made him change twinning shits in front .cif Halt
in two other incidents alleged toihave oeeutred in the VedaWoe area in Laramie Coimty 3

I and in Kansas City; Despite repeated requested,- EG has Isfused to, provide-additional
statements or ihformation end has not ceop?erated- with the inveetigati on;

 

 

Meenan indicated that many Of?le deteits previded? by ES were net co?oborated and I 3
same Were contradicted in' the course of?the investigation. It?Was also revealed in the -

gourse of the mves?gatieh that ?56 had'tetziined ivate couheel in' Kanl?as  and 
was possibly pursuing ?nancial damages ?ght the C?holidChurCh. ?v 

. 3151101; Hart matte tiny with the police investigators and provide-den irtfonhe?ori - 
requested thiil?t, Meenan said.? Hmthasyehtemehtlyidenied the?allegations. 1 .

Meenan.33id in Summa?y that the report concludes that there is seme ?questi?oh as to the . i 
cfedib?ity ofEG, noted EGfs lack of coeperatioh in the investigating-1". th? lack
of any corroborated evidence for the a?egatidns and noted that for Wei-.25. Years Thase

claims'hed neverabeen?reported.? . - I .

 

Dish-ict Ami-hey Mee?eneaid, ?given the _'contradictions story, his refusel?to 
I c?operate with'the investigatidn end the lack of corroboration for his claim, it was the 1;
conclusion of the inhestigetor and myself-that theSe allegations were without merit and  
not?credible". Therefore; Maenali Concurrent with the'C?heyetme Felice Delaarhneht
l-Irecommendatim that the case be closed as wounded-Without merit . Meenan flu-thee-
directed that the CheYenn'e Police Depemnem take?no? ftu'ther action in the matter- and

that the cage investigation could be closednmFor further I infermetion, cohtaet? Kevin P. 'Meehan- at-abgve Embers; Meenan has' 

 served asthe elected 7th Judicial?Dishfict Attorhey in Casper since 1981 He is apast  .  i
I A President of ?le Wyoming Prosecutors Aesqciation and is Mediate Past President of  
the National District Attomeys AssociationDoc?000028.?  
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