BUFFALO, N.Y. - After a ground-breaking grand jury report was released in Pennsylvania last week on child sex abuse allegations in the Roman Catholic Church, many are wondering will the same thing happen in New York State.
A spokesperson for the State Attorney General's Office said "victims in New York deserve to be heard as well. The Attorney General has directed her Criminal Division leadership to reach out to local District Attorneys -- who are the only entities that currently have the power to convene a grand jury to investigate these matters -- in order to establish a potential partnership on this issue."
Former NYS Attorney General Dennis Vacco told 2 On Your Side's Claudine Ewing, there are conditions that could force the hand of the State Attorney General to investigate.
"For the AG in New York to conduct a similar grand jury inquiry as the one conducted in Pennsylvania, even if it only ends up in a grand jury report and no charges, for that to happen, the NYS Attorney General needs her power activated by some other executive branch entity, most likely the Governor," Vacco said.
2 On Your Side sent a message to the Governor's press office to see if this will be considered.
A few years ago, the Governor used an executive order to direct the State Attorney General to investigate fatalities where police were involved.
