Lawsuit Claims St. John’s Abbey Knew of Past Abuse

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) - A former student has sued St. John's Abbey, alleging the religious order knew one of its members had been accused of sexual abuse as early as 1958, yet let him continue teaching.

The lawsuit was filed by a former St. John's Prep student who claims he was sexually abused by the Rev. Allen Tarlton in the 1980s.

According to reports, the lawsuit alleges fraud. It says at least three abbots knew of the allegations but allowed Tarlton to teach at multiple locations.

A message left with the abbey was not returned to The Associated Press Thursday.

In 2002, Tarlton was among more than a dozen priests in the abbey facing restrictions because of abuse allegations. In depositions for previous lawsuits, Tarlton has admitted to prior abuse.

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