Plantiff in Clergy Sex-Abuse Lawsuit Goes Public

ST. PAUL (AP) - A Minnesota man who sued St. John's Abbey over alleged sex abuse is encouraging others who have been abused to tell people what happened.

Troy Bramlage reached a settlement with St. John's that will force the release of personnel files for 19 monks accused of sexually abusing minors.

Bramlage said he was abused by the Rev. Allen Tarlton when he was a 14-year-old freshman at its prep school in 1977. The lawsuit said St. John's leadership repeatedly sent Tarlton for treatment but allowed him to continue working at the prep school.

At a news conference Tuesday, Bramlage said he was glad he decided to come forward publicly.

The abbey had no comment. Tarlton's attorney has said Tarlton, now 87, has never admitted abusing Bramlage.