Cardinal George Pell has sought the
advice of one of Australia’s leading criminal barristers and is
considering legal action for defamation as police sift through
historical sex abuse claims against one of the Vatican’s most senior
figures.
The Weekend Australian can reveal that
Cardinal Pell engaged Robert Richter QC for advice after contested
claims surfaced this year that he had assaulted children in his former
home in the city of Ballarat nearly 40 years ago, where his career
began.Mr Richter, who represented gangland figure Mick Gatto when he was charged with murder but later acquitted in 2005, is considered the standout criminal barrister in Victoria and possibly Australia.
The church did not detail the extent to which Cardinal Pell had sought Mr Richter’s advice but said the cardinal would continue to defend his position.
Mr Richter is believed to have been one of several legal figures consulted over the allegations.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/royal-commission/cardinal-pell-seeks-top-silk-robert-richters-over-sex-claims/news-story/c9e35db24df0694fabb470a469d0d542