Episcopal Priest Robert Malm Faces Motions in Federal District Court and VA Supreme Court
Sep 16, 2021
Alexandria, VA (Law Firm Newswire) September 16, 2021 – Robert Malm, an Episcopal priest canonically resident in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, faces emergency motions for stays filed with both the Virginia Supreme Court and the US Federal District Court.
The filings come after Malm’s attorney, Alexandria-based Wayne Cyron, obtained a gag order for discovery after falsely telling the Alexandria Circuit Court that such an order existed in prior litigation between the parties.
The case is one of several filed by former parishioner Eric J. Bonetti, a retired attorney, after Malm obtained a protective order against Bonetti after claiming Bonetti threatened him.
In response, Bonetti alleged that Malm perpetrated a fraud upon the courts, repeatedly lied to the police, and committed perjury by telling falsely claiming under oath that Bonetti’s mother, then late-stage terminally ill with COPD, contacted Malm repeatedly to set up appointments, only to cancel. Bonetti further alleges that both the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, where Malm now serves, and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, have aided and abetted Malm by ignoring complaints about his perjury, saying that the courts will instead decide the matter.
“That’s pretty rich, because the Episcopal church have spent much of the last decade arguing in court that its canons give it a property interest in local church buildings,” says Bonetti. “Yet the same canons expressly forbid ‘conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.’ In short, the church argues the canons in court when it wants property, but ignores the same canons when it comes to clergy conduct.”
Bonetti’s pleadings argue that, in addition to Cyron’s fabrication about a previous gag order, Malm has not even attempted to argue any sort of implicated privacy interest or harm.
“That begs the question why Malm, an Episcopal priest, feels the need for a gag order. If his conduct has been above reproach, what is there to hide? Additionally, the public has the right to know of allegations involving abusive clergy, even when, as here, the abuse does not involve sexual misconduct,” said Bonetti. “The fact Malm wants confidentiality should be a red alert to all involved and a warning to anyone interested in becoming involved with the parish.
“Nor are these the first allegations of abuse involving Malm,” added Bonetti. “Reliable sources tell me that a former assistant rector resigned after allegedly experiencing emotional abuse from Malm. She complained to the diocese, the church’s vestry, and Malm himself, but got nowhere.
“I believe that those who served on the vestry at the time should be ashamed of themselves for allegedly ignoring complaints of abuse. Those involved include:
Lorna Worley
John Boris
Jennifer Long
Fred Saalfeld
Kirk McPike
Rich Kelly
Chris Rugaber
Jan Wolff
Jennifer Pease
Mary Stewart
Cindy Diehl
Kelly Gable
Chris Kupczyk
Jean Reed
Ashby Rushing
“Of course, it comes as no surprise that the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, which has expressly said in writing that it will ignore allegations of clergy abuse absent criminal charges, took a pass. But the fact that the Grace Church vestry did so is nothing short of despicable,” Bonetti added.
“Hopefully the courts recognize the important First Amendment issues involved and strike down Malm’s gag order. Covering up clergy misconduct is shocking and appalling.,” Bonetti concluded.
Media Contact:
Eric Bonetti
Eric.bonetti@protonmail.com
Phone: 202-650-0942
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