Ward complaints date back to priesthood

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: ABC 7 News

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- As expected, former KGO Radio talk show host Bernie Ward pleaded guilty Thursday to a charge of distributing child pornography. Ward did not comment as he left the federal courthouse in San Francisco Thursday afternoon, but he did, though, admit to a judge that he sent a sexually-explicit image of a child over the Internet. After his arrest in December, Ward claimed he was researching a book.

The judge agreed to hold off on accepting Ward's plea until his sentencing in August. That's so Ward can attend his son's high school graduation. He faces a minimum of five-years in federal prison.

The ABC7 I-Team has been following this case and exploring Ward's time as a Catholic priest.

It's the same old story -- Catholic priest gets in trouble for complaints of sexual activity with minors. Only this time, it's Bernie Ward.

Read more: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/iteam&id=6131414

---

Coincidence?

[2rth2pwr]

1. Coincides with what?

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. This establishes that he has a history of this sort of thing

[LaStrega]

2. "He appeared to be a good priest ..."

"He appeared to be a good priest at the time and all of a sudden, it kind of went downhill," said Father Tony LaTorre, former vice principal at Cardinal Newman High School.

Kind of went downhill? Kind of?! Understatement much? :puke:

[tidy_bowl]

3. He was a Catholic priest.......so no wonder! nt

[LaStrega]

4. I just watched the video ...

At the bottom of the OP link to the story, there's a link to "Bernie Ward's online chats." I watched the newsclip regarding the (disturbing) police report. Sounds like Bernie was into some pretty kinky stuff. Which is fine, porn/s&m/b&d etc., long as it's consenting adults.

[Razorblade01]

5. There are some on another message board saying...

Bernie did things that bordered on physical abuse and murder . It sounds to me like there is too much gossip and innuendo out there to suit me.

[LaStrega]

6. Yikes. Hadn't heard about the "bordered on murder" thingy ...

And I agree that cases like this spark much gossip and inuendo. Wonder what'll come out during the trial ...

[Razorblade01]

7. I don't know...

The papers are sealed by the court. I hope Bernie survives prison and can get past all of this along with his family.

[comtec]

8. In defense of Bernie (read before you attack me)

Not in defense of the charges. But of him.
Consider how long Bernie has been attacking the right, with the truth.
Uncle Bernie was doing it for YEARS before AAR was even a twinkle in Al Gore's eye.
I used to listen to Bernie religiously, and his god talk reminded me what the real message of the Bible is, and that's hope, and love, and generosity.

The technicalities of the charges I believe, and he pleaded guilty, and that's correct.
I do hope the Judge takes into consideration the countless people Bernie has helped through supporting catholic charities - which DON'T proselytize, at least not the ones he supported.

Bernie Ward has always been a positive contributor (as far as I can tell) at least publically for nearly 2 decades.

To be honest I believe that he was researching a book, and with the RW now in total control I believe they have been waiting for YEARS to be able to jump on him for something like this.

The saddest part of all this is all the GOOD Bernie has done will now be thrown aside, forgotten or ignored.

As a culture we are too quick to slap predator on anyone who deviates a little from the 'norm'.
I'm not defending his actions in this instance. It was stupid and illegal.
His reasons may have been relatively pure, but the law is the law.

What bothers me is how little scrutiny the RW gasbags get.. like NONE!
This is one incident, but what about the REPEATED infractions, FELONIES that Rush has committed, and god knows what the rest of the RW mouth pieces have been doing - making this look innocent comparatively.

Bernie has pleaded, and will do his time. He has not supported any kind of conspiracy theories, and on his blog was open about this. He was stupid and wrong. His family swears up one side and down the other this is not the kind of thing he's interested in (but excellent bait for book material).

Bernie was pretty open about this... what about the gas bag? what about O'rly?

Bernie will do his time, and will have his career ruined. He will probably never be able to work for charities ever again, never operate a microphone under his name, never be able to help anyone ever again!

So be happy, hes gone. A rational vice of the left has been stomped quiet!

HOORAY A SEXUAL PREDATOR IS DEAD!

bah. The dancing on this man's grave disgusts me. Had this been Orly? or lush, or weener, I'd be dancing with you. They have hurt countless others.

[Political Heretic]

9. I read your post, and I don't need to dance in his "grave" - however,

My basic feeling is that I don't have contradictory stances on sexual misconduct with regard to minors. "It was just one time" doesn't seem to make it okay. It was a horrible act, and thus a horrible betrayal coming from one such as Bernie Ward.

He should (and of course is going to) serve his time, and while I wish him the best once his debt to society is paid, I certainly want nothing more to do with him as a public liberal voice.

[2rth2pwr]

10. You're kidding right? Have you read the messages he was exchanging with his "mistress"?

He had pre teen and teen kids at his home a lot because of his son and daughter. He was describing his fantasies about his son's penis, how he was showing young girls his penis etc. etc..

This man is sick, and you can hold him up in your mind and blame this on neocons, but he deserves a fate worse than what he is getting.

[bluestateguy]

11. Bernie Ward has let us all down

There is no excuse for any of this.

[mitchum]

13. Guess he now regrets leaving the cover provided by the church

live and learn, Bernie