Episcopal Priest Robert H. Malm’s Attorney Tries to Prevent Criminal Investigation
Aug 31, 2021
Alexandria, VA (Law Firm Newswire) August 31, 2021 – An attorney for Episcopal priest Robert H. Malm is attempting to interfere with police investigations of his client.
That’s the complaint of Eric Bonetti, plaintiff in a series of lawsuits that claim that Malm has repeatedly committed perjury before courts in Virginia and Massachusetts. In addition, Malm is accused of concealing evidence adverse to him in previous litigation, lying to the courts by providing false statements of law and fact, witness tampering, threatening the plaintiff, and defaming him by accusing him of engaging in “domestic terrorism.”
Bonetti makes the claim in motions filed with the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, as well as the Virginia Supreme Court. In both instances, Bonetti has asked for injunctive relief.
“The Alexandria Circuit Court issued a discovery protective order prohibiting me from writing about information learned in discovery,” says Bonetti. “It did so even as it refused to enjoin Malm from contacting witnesses and from threatening me. And it did so with no showing of any privacy interest whatsoever on Malm’s part.
“Now, Malm’s attorney Wayne Cyron, who recently told the court that I had blogged under the names of my non-existent siblings, claims that the court’s order prevents me from inviting police investigating Malm’s alleged perjury from attending my deposition of Malm.
“I am confident that the court’s order does not prohibit police investigation of Malm. I am equally confident that Mr. Cyron, whose pleadings already have a seemingly loose connection with reality, does not have the legal right to interfere with police investigations.”
Bonetti also plans to ask the Alexandria Circuit Court for a protective order following vexatious and harassing discovery requests, including over details of his mother’s funeral arrangements.
Bonetti is part of the first same-sex couple married at Grace Episcopal Church. His husband Mike joined the parish shortly afterwards, only to be forced out of the parish 14 months later by Malm.
A retired attorney, Bonetti is proceeding pro se in the various lawsuits.
Malm currently is the interim rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal on-the-Canal in Bourne Massachusetts.
The post Legal News first appeared on Law Firm Newswire.
