Probe reveals former Beaver Co. DA stopped abuse investigations

BEAVER, Pa. — A former Beaver County district attorney stopped investigations into child sex abuse to prevent "unfavorable publicity," according to a grand jury report released Tuesday.

Part of the report mentions Robert Masters, who allegedly knew about sexual abuse from the 1960s and, according to Attorney General Josh Shapiro, just last year told the grand jury he refused to prosecute it for political reasons.

In a news conference Tuesday, Shapiro specifically talked about Masters and a letter he sent to the Pittsburgh diocese.

That letter said, "In order to prevent unfavorable publicity, Masters had halted all investigations into incidents involving young boys."

RELATED STORIES:

• List of alleged predator priests in Pittsburgh and Greensburg dioceses
• Cardinal Donald Wuerl, former Pittsburgh bishop, defends himself ahead of grand jury report
• Diocese of Pittsburgh: Incidents by decade
• Report: Ring of 'predatory priests' shared, photographed victims
• Parishioners react to church sex abuse investigation
• SNAP responds to release of grand jury report
• What to do if you're a victim of child sexual abuse
• FULL VIDEO: Attorney General Josh Shapiro discusses catholic sex abuse grand jury report

This came after the Rev. Ernest Paone was accused of molesting young boys in a parish. At one point, Paone was assigned to churches in Beaver County.

"DA Masters actually testified to the grand jury that his reason for failing to investigate and prosecute sex abuse against a priest is that he wanted the diocese's support for his political career," Shapiro said.

Channel 11 tried to find Masters, but were unable to after visiting a law office that bears his name and an address listed for him.

Current Beaver County DA David Lozier told Channel 11 on Tuesday night that he plans to read the grand jury report and may comment on it in the future.

Cox Media Group