The Iowa Court of Appeals has reversed the invasion of privacy convictions of a priest in Pottawattamie County. Father Paul Monahan, who was the school chaplain for St. Albert Catholic School, was convicted of five counts of invasion of privacy after teenage boys testified he purposely moved back to look at them while they used a public urinal next to him during a track meet in Treynor in April of 2016. Monahan said in his defense that he had several health issues that caused him to need to go to the bathroom frequently. He also testified the health conditions caused him balance issues that led to his movement.

The Iowa Court of Appeals overturned the convictions –saying the prosecution failed to show the boys had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the public urinals. It also says there is limited evidence to show Monahan knowingly viewed the genitals of the five boys and no evidence beyond that to show he was acting for the purpose of arousing or gratifying his sexual desires. Bishop Richard Pates of the Des Moines Catholic Diocese issued a statement saying they are relieved at the court’s decision and anticipate that Monahan will be fully reinstated to the ministry once the appeal process has been completed.

(View the complete ruling here: https://cdn.radioiowa.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Monahan-decision-PDF.pdf)

(Radio Iowa)